A snub answered on the course
J.J. Spaun did not receive the invitation he wanted to Medinah, so he produced a response that could not be ignored at Wentworth. The 2025 U.S. Open champion won the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday, closing with a 5-under 67 and making four birdies over his final five holes to finish 17 under and take a two-shot victory at the DP World Tour's flagship event. Spaun made no attempt to hide what drove him, saying he played with a huge chip on his shoulder.[S1]
That chip came from being passed over for the 2026 U.S. Presidents Cup team. Captain Brandt Snedeker used his six captain's picks on Chris Gotterup, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Jacob Bridgeman and Jackson Koivun. Spaun finished 10th in the U.S. points standings but was left at home despite going 2-1-0 in his Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage Black in 2025. According to Spaun, Snedeker delivered the news during a brief phone conversation, telling him he was not on the team and calling him the odd man out.[S1]
The closing surge at Wentworth
Spaun then went to England and made the most convincing statement available to him. Starting Sunday one shot off the lead, he bogeyed the opening hole before responding with birdies at Nos. 4 and 5. Then came the finishing surge: he birdied Nos. 14, 15 and 16 before adding another at the par-5 18th to post 17-under 271. Manuel Elvira briefly threatened to spoil the ending after eagling No. 17 to tie Spaun, but Elvira made double bogey at the final hole, dropping into a tie for second at 15 under with Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and Aaron Rai. McIlroy also had an opportunity late but could not produce the eagle he needed at 18.[S1]
The victory continued an impressive 2026 season for Spaun. The 36-year-old also won the Valero Texas Open in April, making Wentworth his second victory of the year. More importantly, it gave Spaun the ending he wanted after the Presidents Cup disappointment. He said everything happens for a reason. Being labeled the odd man out apparently gave Spaun all the motivation he needed, and four birdies in five holes provided his answer.[S1]
A first Rolex Series title
Srixon's J.J. Spaun delivered a fiery closing stretch on Sunday to capture the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, securing his second victory of the 2026 season and the first Rolex Series win of his career. Making his debut appearance at the prestigious event, Spaun finished at 17-under-par after birdieing four of his final five holes to claim one of the DP World Tour's most coveted titles.[S2]
Known for his elite ball-striking, Spaun showcased that precision when it mattered most. With the championship coming down to the wire, he attacked the flagsticks throughout the closing stretch, highlighted by a pinpoint approach on the par-3 14th hole that settled within five feet of the cup. The resulting birdie sparked a dominant run that propelled him to victory. Spaun's performance was fueled by a trusted setup featuring Srixon's ZXi Irons, a mix of Cleveland Golf Wedges, and the Z-STAR DIAMOND golf ball. Utilizing a combination set of ZXi7 and ZXi5 Irons, he consistently found his targets around Wentworth's layout, while his Z-STAR DIAMOND provided the combination of distance, control, and greenside performance needed to navigate the historic course.[S2]
