J.J. Spaun charges late to win BMW PGA Championship by two
J.J. Spaun won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on 20 September 2026, closing with a 5-under 67 for a two-stroke victory. AP
The American finished fast. He birdied four of his last five holes to pull clear, a birdie meaning one under par for the hole. Then he waited. No one could catch him. ESPN
Four players shared second, two strokes back. They were Manuel Elvira, Rory McIlroy, Aaron Rai and Adam Scott. Golfweek
The tournament was played at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England. AP It is the European tour's flagship event, the one its players most want to win outside the majors. ESPN
Spaun did not lead from the start. Aaron Rai and Joakim Lagergren each shot 6-under 66 on Thursday to set the early pace. Ryan Gerard then shot 7-under 65 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead after the second round. PGA Tour
McIlroy stayed in touch on Saturday with a 3-under 69. The loudest moment came on one hole where he hit a 4-iron from 230 yards to inside two feet and made an eagle, two under par for the hole. PGA Tour
Wentworth often rewards a late run. Ryan Fox did it in 2023, closing with a 5-under 67 to win by one shot over Rai. Spaun went one better on the margin, turning a crowded leaderboard into a clear win with that burst across the closing holes.
What makes this stand out is the timing. Four days of careful work can unravel on the last five holes. Spaun held his nerve and kept hitting greens when the pressure tightened around him.
