McIlroy's Wentworth Charge Falls Short as Spaun Claims First European Title
Rory McIlroy finished where he started at the BMW PGA Championship, two shots off the lead, settling for a share of second place at Wentworth. The Holywood man carded a 68 on Sunday, but it wasn't enough to catch American JJ Spaun, who took the title on 17 under par for his second DP World Tour victory.
How did JJ Spaun win at Wentworth?
Spaun closed with a 67 to move ahead of overnight joint leaders Manuel Elvira and Filippo Celli. The 2025 US Open champion entered the final day just one shot off the lead but seemed to slip out of contention during a run of eight pars. Then came a hat-trick of birdies from the 14th, and another on the final hole gave him the outright lead.
Elvira had a chance to leapfrog Spaun after eagling the 17th, needing a birdie on the last to win. But his wait for a maiden DP World Tour title went on after finding the fairway bunker with his tee-shot, sending his bunker shot past the green, and failing to hole from the sand. A double bogey confirmed Spaun's victory, his first title outside the United States, worth around €1.3 million.
What did Rory McIlroy shoot on the final day?
McIlroy shot 68, one better than Saturday, but his five birdies, mixed with a bogey on the 11th, weren't enough to take him to the summit. He ended the day on 15 under par, alongside Aaron Rai, Adam Scott, and Manuel Elvira.
Why was Spaun so motivated this week?
Spaun became just the third American to win this title, behind Arnold Palmer and Billy Horschel, and the first player to win it on debut since Byeong-hun An in 2015. He had a point to prove after being left out of the Presidents Cup side.
“We [him and captain Brandt Snedeker] haven't spoken,” he said, “but yeah, I played with a huge chip on my shoulder. I definitely had something to prove this week, but everything happens for a reason.”
Spaun added: “Being left off the Presidents Cup team a couple of weeks ago was very disappointing and I wanted to prove that I deserved to be on that team. I took care of my business this week, so all the best to my mates next week at Medinah, but I'll be on the couch watching.”
What does this win mean to Spaun?
The American admitted how much the win meant to him in a place close to his family's heart.
“It means so much. I've kind of blossomed into this player that I never thought I could be and to take my game across the world and more specifically here in England. It's a place that's dear to my family's heart, we've vacationed here quite a bit and the stars aligned for this week for me to come out on top.”
For McIlroy, it's another near miss on home soil, but the form is there. The big one will come soon enough.
Final leaderboard at the BMW PGA Championship
- 1. JJ Spaun - 17 under par
- T2. Rory McIlroy, Aaron Rai, Adam Scott, Manuel Elvira - 15 under par