Spaun Becomes Third American to Win BMW PGA

J.J. Spaun won the BMW PGA Championship on his tournament debut, closing with a 5-under 67 to finish at 17-under-par 271 and become only the third American to lift the trophy at Wentworth.

A finish shaped by one late collapse

Spaun began the final round a stroke behind overnight co-leaders Manuel Elvira and Filippo Celli. An opening bogey and eight straight pars from the 6th left him drifting. Then the round turned at the par-3 14th, where he hit his tee shot close.

Birdie putts of around 14 feet followed at the 15th and 16th, and a two-putt birdie at the par-5 18th completed his 67. Elvira still had an answer, though, eagling the 17th from nine feet to draw level. Needing birdie at the last to force a play-off, the Spaniard found a fairway bunker off the tee and a second bunker with his recovery before closing with a double bogey.

A debut name on an old trophy

Spaun joined Arnold Palmer and 2021 champion Billy Horschel as the only American winners of the event. He is the first player to win the title on debut since Byeong Hun An in 2015. The 36-year-old Californian, already the reigning U.S. Open champion, now holds two DP World Tour victories and a first Rolex Series title.

Thirteen players finished within three shots of the lead. Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and Aaron Rai shared second with Elvira at 15-under, while Ryan Fox, Matt Fitzpatrick, Joost Luiten and Celli were another stroke back.

A quiet fire carried all week

Spaun arrived at Wentworth days after being left off Brandt Snedeker's U.S. Presidents Cup team. "I played with a huge chip on my shoulder," he told reporters afterwards. "I definitely had something to prove this week, but everything happens for a reason."

The win, celebrated with his wife Melody in a country the family visits regularly, adds a European landmark to a career that has bloomed unexpectedly late.