JJ Spaun won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on -17 after Manuel Elvira cracked under pressure on the final hole, closing out a tense fourth round and taking the title in a result that also carried Race to Dubai significance for Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed.
The finish gave Spaun a timely lift after he was left off the Presidents Cup team a couple weeks ago. He said that omission gave him a clear edge this week, and he did not try to hide it after the win.
Spaun says the setback fueled him
Spaun said he played with a huge chip on his shoulder and that he had something to prove in the tournament. He pointed directly to being left off the Presidents Cup team a couple weeks earlier as a major motivator, adding that he wanted to show he deserved a place on that team.
He also said he took care of his business this week. Beyond the pressure of the moment, Spaun spoke warmly about his connection to the UK, saying his family has taken holidays there over the last three years and enjoys the culture, the pubs and the cosiness. He added that any chance they get, they come back because of that comfort with the part of the world.
Spaun also had a more unusual postround note. He said he had gone to Jeremy Clarkson's pub hoping to catch a glimpse of him, though he was not around. Spaun added that Jeremy was there in spirit and brought him good fortune.
What the result means for the chase behind it
The tournament also sat inside a bigger DP World Tour picture, with Rory McIlroy saying he has three events left in his season. McIlroy said he is looking ahead to a course in India he played for the first time last year, then to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where he has had a lot of success in his career.
McIlroy said he is excited for the chance to finish strong and noted that it would be amazing to match Monty's record. With three events to go, the Race to Dubai remains alive, and Spaun's win at Wentworth becomes part of a wider closing stretch on the DP World Tour.
