JJ SPAUN BIRDIED four of the final five holes to claim the European Tour’s PGA Championship on Sunday with Rory McIlroy among those tied for second.
The 2025 US Open champion began the final day at Wentworth a shot off the overall lead but seemed to slip out of contention when he was just one under for his round through 13 holes.
But a hat-trick of birdies from the 14th catapulted him up the leaderboard and another birdie on the final hole gave him the outright lead at 17 under.
McIlroy’s own late charge was not enough as he finished alongside Aaron Rai, Manuel Elvira and Adam Scott two shots off the lead.
However, the Holywood native was handed an unexpected opportunity in his pursuit of a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title after Patrick Reed retired through injury during the third round.
McIlroy had trailed Reed by 839.76 points but has now closed the gap to 307.76 and they are set to be in action in the same DP World India Championship next month.
Depending on the severity of his injury, Reed is due to compete at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.
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“I’m excited,” said McIlroy. “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.
“And I’m going back to-golf course in India that I played for the first time last year, so I’ll know it a little bit better; and then going to Abu Dhabi and Dubai where I had a lot of success in my career. Excited for the opportunity, and it would be obviously amazing to match Monty’s record.”
On Sunday, Elvira eagled the 17th to join Spaun at the summit but the Spaniard suffered a double bogey on the last to miss out on his first European tour victory.
Spaun became just the third American to win this title behind Arnold Palmer and Billy Horschel and admitted he was was fuelled bt being left out the USA team for the Presidents Cup next weekend.
“I played with a huge chip on my shoulder. I definitely had something to prove this week, but everything happens for a reason,” said Spaun.
“I wanted to prove that I deserved to be on that team. I took care of my business this week, so all the best to my mates next week at Medinah, but I’ll be on the couch watching,” added the world number 17.
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Spaun snatches PGA Championship while McIlroy has eighth Race to Dubai title in sights
JJ SPAUN BIRDIED four of the final five holes to claim the European Tour’s PGA Championship on Sunday with Rory McIlroy among those tied for second.
The 2025 US Open champion began the final day at Wentworth a shot off the overall lead but seemed to slip out of contention when he was just one under for his round through 13 holes.
But a hat-trick of birdies from the 14th catapulted him up the leaderboard and another birdie on the final hole gave him the outright lead at 17 under.
McIlroy’s own late charge was not enough as he finished alongside Aaron Rai, Manuel Elvira and Adam Scott two shots off the lead.
However, the Holywood native was handed an unexpected opportunity in his pursuit of a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title after Patrick Reed retired through injury during the third round.
McIlroy had trailed Reed by 839.76 points but has now closed the gap to 307.76 and they are set to be in action in the same DP World India Championship next month.
Depending on the severity of his injury, Reed is due to compete at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.
“I’m excited,” said McIlroy. “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.
“And I’m going back to-golf course in India that I played for the first time last year, so I’ll know it a little bit better; and then going to Abu Dhabi and Dubai where I had a lot of success in my career. Excited for the opportunity, and it would be obviously amazing to match Monty’s record.”
On Sunday, Elvira eagled the 17th to join Spaun at the summit but the Spaniard suffered a double bogey on the last to miss out on his first European tour victory.
Spaun became just the third American to win this title behind Arnold Palmer and Billy Horschel and admitted he was was fuelled bt being left out the USA team for the Presidents Cup next weekend.
“I played with a huge chip on my shoulder. I definitely had something to prove this week, but everything happens for a reason,” said Spaun.
“I wanted to prove that I deserved to be on that team. I took care of my business this week, so all the best to my mates next week at Medinah, but I’ll be on the couch watching,” added the world number 17.
More to follow.
– © AFP 2026
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