Spaun wins BMW PGA Championship as Elvira collapses on 18 at Wentworth
On Sunday at the final round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, JJ Spaun emerged victorious while Manuel Elvira faltered on the 18th hole.
Manuel Elvira had been seeking to emulate his older brother Ignacio, who has won three times on the European Tour, but the 30-year-old from Santander — ranked 294th in the world — instead saw victory slip away at the last. Final scores were: -17 JJ Spaun (US); -15 M Elvira (Spa), R McIlroy (NI), A Scott (Aus), A Rai (Eng). Selected others:-14 M Fitzpatrick (Eng), R Fox (NZ); -13 R MacIntyre (Sco), M Wallace (Eng), A Sullivan (Eng); -12 A Noren (Swe), R Fisher (Eng); -11 S Lowry (Ire) A Fitzpatrick (Eng); -10 V Hovland (Nor), L Aberg (Swe), J Niemann (Chi), T Hatton (Eng).
Elvira had produced an outrageous eagle on the 17th and twice birdied the par-five in the week, leaving him a tapped-in par on 18 to force a play-off with Spaun, who was already in the clubhouse at 17 under. Opting for an iron off the tee on the final hole, Elvira found a fairway bunker on his lay-up, missed the green with his approach and nearly found the grandstand. After being given a free drop he duffed his fourth into the sand, escaped and then took two putts for a double-bogey seven that cost him even outright second place.
Reflecting on the finish, Elvira said: "[It was] devastating that I hit the wrong shot at the right time on the lay up and left myself the toughest shot in the fairway bunker, and wasn't able to pull it off," adding, "I've played some of the best golf probably of my life." The collapse drew sympathy from those at the course; former Europe Solheim Cup player Trish Johnson told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's a truly awful feeling. No more than 20 minutes ago he's got this huge dream. To watch that unfold on 18 was really, in golfing terms, quite tragic. What he has to remember is how he put himself in that position. In a big event like this the chances are we'll never see him in that position to win this calibre of tournament ever again, and that's very sad." Ignacio Elvira, who finished tied for 44th, was alongside his younger brother as they walked off the 18th green.
JJ Spaun carded a five-under 67 on Sunday, including four birdies in the final five holes, to claim his first title outside the United States and a prize of about £1.1m. Spaun said his omission from the US Presidents Cup team — delivered in a 45-second phone call in which he was told he was the "odd man out" — had provided motivation. "I played with a huge chip on my shoulder. I definitely had something to prove this week but everything happens for a reason," he added.
On his wider career, Spaun said: "My whole career, I've kind of had to do that. I wasn't given scholarships. I had a walk-on. I had to earn my PGA Tour card the hard way. I was never given sponsor invite opportunities. I just had to do everything the hard way. Being left off the Presidents Cup team a couple weeks ago was very disappointing, and you know, I wanted to prove that I deserve to be on that team."
An amusing moment during Spaun's week saw his wife Melody walk the grounds with a Jeremy Clarkson mask. Spaun said: "We've grown fond of him - along with the English culture, we actually take holidays in December in the Cotswolds - and we really enjoy his show [Clarkson's Farm]. I went to his pub, with the hopes of catching a glimpse of him, but he wasn't around. My wife said we would have a surprise guest following me this week if I competed in the tournament and, sure enough, I see the face of Jeremy Clarkson and her holding it. Jeremy was there in spirit and I think he brought me good fortune."
Rory McIlroy, a six-time major winner, carded a round featuring five birdies and a bogey while also missing four birdie attempts from inside 10 feet, leaving him tied for second at 15 under alongside Elvira, Adam Scott and Aaron Rai. McIlroy said: "I'm excited. I have three events until the end of my DP World Tour season. I'm not sure what Patrick's schedule looks like coming up, but I feel like I have enough opportunities. I'm excited for the opportunity, and it would be obviously amazing to match Monty's record."
Spaun becomes only the third American to win the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, joining Billy Horschel and Arnold Palmer, and his name now sits among past champions including Tony Jacklin, Sir Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Rory McIlroy.