+++ J.J. Spaun (USA) wins on his Wentworth debut +++ Frédéric Lacroix
(FRA) secures BMW hole-in-one prize in the final round +++ More than
120,000 fans celebrate the Festival of Golf +++ The BMW PGA
Championship supports the Golf Foundation +++
London. The 22nd BMW PGA Championship came to a
spectacular close with a thrilling final round and two successful
firsts. American J.J. Spaun, who was competing in the DP World Tour’s
flagship event for the first time, secured the prestigious title at
the Wentworth Club with a total of 271 strokes (70, 66, 68, 67; 17
under par). Last year’s US Open champion carded the decisive four
birdies over the final five holes, thereby becoming the third American
winner of the BMW PGA Championship after Arnold Palmer (1975) and
Billy Horschel (2021 & 2024). A few hours earlier, Frédéric
Lacroix had scored his first hole-in-one on the DP World Tour on the
14th hole, winning this year’s hole-in-one prize: the new all-electric
BMW iX5 xDrive60 M Sport.
The battle for the title was intense and remained completely open for
a long time. Major winners Rory McIlroy (NIR), Aaron Rai (ENG) and
Adam Scott (AUS) were all in contention for victory on Sunday,
alongside Manuel Elvira (all -15, T2). The Spaniard had drawn level
with Spaun with an eagle on the 17th hole, but carded a double bogey
on the final hole – a par 5 – and thus dramatically missed out on his
first tournament victory on the DP World Tour. Sixth place was shared
by the reigning Open champion and 2023 BMW PGA Championship winner,
Ryan Fox (NZL), with Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG), Joost Luiten (NED) and
Filippo Celli (ITA, all -14).
Frédéric Lacroix wins the BMW iX5 xDrive60 M Sport.
Frédéric Lacroix saved his first hole-in-one on the DP World Tour for
the perfect moment. In the final round, the Frenchman aced the 14th
hole with a 7-iron from a distance of 163 yards. For this perfect
shot, he was rewarded with this year’s hole-in-one prize: the new,
all-electric BMW iX5 xDrive60 M Sport. Lacroix will be among the first
to enjoy sheer driving pleasure with the first battery-electric BMW X5
in history. The market launch of the first variants of the new BMW X5
is scheduled for late November 2026, with the all-electric and plug‑in
hybrid versions to follow in early 2027.
The fifth generation of the BMW X5 impresses with technical
innovations, a stunning new design and the integration of
future-oriented technologies from the Neue Klasse. This underlines its
exceptional status and reinforces its leading position in a segment
that it originally established.
Lacroix became the sixth player in the tournament’s history to win
the hole-in-one prize. In 2015 (Andrew Johnston, ENG, BMW M4 Coupé,
and Chris Wood, ENG, BMW i8) and 2016 (Scott Jamieson, SCO, BMW M2
Coupé, and James Morrison, ENG, BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition), there
were two hole-in-one prizes each year which found happy owners. In
2020, David Howell holed out on the 14th hole with a single stroke.
That year, the tournament was held during the Covid-19 pandemic, and
BMW donated the equivalent value of the 530e xDrive Touring – £71,675
– to the Alzheimer’s Society. The Albatross Award offered in 2020 on
the 18th hole, a BMW i8 Roadster Rosso Corsa, was claimed by Ross
Fisher with a spectacular shot. To this day, the Englishman’s
albatross on the iconic finishing hole of the West Course remains the
only one in the tournament’s long history.
Quotes from the 22nd BMW PGA Championship.
Neil Fiorentinos, Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group UK and
Ireland: “The BMW PGA Championship is a truly special event.
BMW is proud to have supported it for 22 years and how everyone
involved contributed to delivering a magnificent tournament. The
Festival of Golf once again lived up to its reputation, thanks to an
outstanding atmosphere created by the passionate fans. I would like to
thank them as well as the Wentworth Club, the DP World Tour, the
grounds keeping staff and the volunteers who made the event such a
tremendous success. Congratulations to J.J. Spaun and his caddie Mark
Carens on an exceptional victory. J.J. is definitely is a
well-deserved BMW PGA Champion.”
J.J. Spaun: “It means so much. I’ve kind of blossomed
into this player I never thought I could be, taking my game across the
world, and more specifically here in England. It‘s a place that’s dear
to my family’s heart; we vacation here quite a bit. The stars kind of
aligned this week for me to come out on top, and I’m just grateful to
have the opportunity. I gave myself a chance and came out with a win.”
Frédéric Lacroix: “A hole-in-one is always special
but this is extra, it’s a very special moment. We were in between
clubs, 7 and 8. It’s an awkward little hole, because you can’t really
feel the wind down there. We just made a decision, close to the 8, but
in the end I hit a 7, it was a lovely shot.”
BMW PGA Championship and the Golf Foundation.
The Golf Foundation is the Official Charity Partner of the BMW PGA
Championship. BMW also supports the Foundation’s mental wellbeing
programme ‘Unleash Your Drive’, which launched at the BMW PGA
Championship in 2023. More than 2,000 schools have now registered
interest in delivering the six‑week programme of fun and inclusive games.
Unleash Your Drive brings simplified versions of golf to schools
across England, aiming to strengthen mental toughness. Pupils are
taught to remain resilient, focused, and determined in the face of
challenges, setbacks, and pressure, while maintaining a positive and
determined mindset. These skills, which can be ideally practiced
through golf, will help to prepare youngsters for life inside and
outside the classroom.
Relax, we care: An unforgettable day.
He’s a passionate golf fan, a loyal BMW customer, and was looking
forward to seeing the golfing elite in action at the BMW PGA
Championship. Josh Verney certainly managed to do just that, but he
could never have imagined how. BMW surprised the unsuspecting Josh
with an unforgettable experience, which began with Ryan Fox as his
personal driver, followed by an exclusive tour of the clubhouse with
Viktor Hovland and a putting challenge with Tommy Fleetwood. Josh was
filmed throughout – you can watch the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz0SjMW2YtI