J.J. Spaun wins 22nd BMW PGA Championship as Lacroix's hole-in-one earns a new electric BMW iX5
J.J. Spaun claimed the 22nd BMW PGA Championship on his Wentworth debut with a 271 total, while Frédéric Lacroix's hole-in-one won him the new all-electric BMW iX5.
- 271 strokes (17 under par)
- 163 yards
- more than 120,000
- £71,675
What Happened
American J.J. Spaun won the 22nd BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club on his debut in the DP World Tour's flagship event, finishing on 271 strokes (70, 66, 68, 67; 17 under par). Four birdies over the final five holes sealed the title for last year's US Open champion, who becomes the third American winner after Arnold Palmer in 1975 and Billy Horschel in 2021 and 2024. Manuel Elvira had drawn level with Spaun with an eagle on the 17th but carded a double bogey on the final hole, a par 5, to miss out on a first DP World Tour victory. Major winners Rory McIlroy (NIR), Aaron Rai (ENG) and Adam Scott (AUS) finished alongside the Spaniard at 15 under par in a tie for second. Sixth place was shared at 14 under par by reigning Open champion and 2023 BMW PGA winner Ryan Fox (NZL) with Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG), Joost Luiten (NED) and Filippo Celli (ITA).
“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.”
A few hours before Spaun's win, Frédéric Lacroix had scored his first hole-in-one on the DP World Tour, acing the 14th hole in the final round with a 7-iron from 163 yards. The shot won him this year's hole-in-one prize, the new all-electric BMW iX5 xDrive60 M Sport, making him the sixth player in the tournament's history to claim the prize. He will be among the first to enjoy sheer driving pleasure in the first battery-electric BMW X5; 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 brings technical innovations, a new design and the integration of future-oriented technologies from the Neue Klasse.
“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.”
Two hole-in-one prizes found owners: Andrew Johnston (ENG) took a BMW M4 Coupé and Chris Wood (ENG) a BMW i8.
Again two prizes were won: Scott Jamieson (SCO) claimed a BMW M2 Coupé and James Morrison (ENG) a BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition.
David Howell holed out on the 14th hole with a single stroke. With the tournament played during the Covid-19 pandemic, BMW donated the equivalent value of the 530e xDrive Touring, £71,675, to the Alzheimer's Society. Ross Fisher claimed the Albatross Award, a BMW i8 Roadster Rosso Corsa, on the 18th hole — still the only albatross on the West Course's iconic finishing hole in the tournament's long history.
“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 a well-deserved BMW PGA Champion.”
The Golf Foundation is the Official Charity Partner of the BMW PGA Championship, and BMW also supports the Foundation's mental wellbeing programme 'Unleash Your Drive', which launched at the championship in 2023. More than 2,000 schools have now registered interest in delivering the six-week programme of fun and inclusive games, which teaches pupils to stay resilient, focused and determined in the face of challenges, setbacks and pressure. In a separate surprise, BMW gave lifelong golf fan and loyal customer Josh Verney an unforgettable day that began with Ryan Fox as his personal driver, followed by an exclusive clubhouse tour with Viktor Hovland and a putting challenge with Tommy Fleetwood. Josh was filmed throughout.
Previously from BMW
This year's BMW PGA Championship was the 22nd edition of the DP World Tour's flagship tournament, held at Wentworth Club from 15 to 20 September 2026, with 120,000 fans expected. Defending champion Alex Noren was in the field, and ten BMW models were on offer as the hole-in-one prize.
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of BMW's official releases.
Why this matters
The BMW PGA Championship is the DP World Tour's flagship event, and BMW has now supported it for 22 years in front of more than 120,000 fans at Wentworth. For car buyers, the hole-in-one prize gave an early public outing to the first battery-electric BMW X5, which goes on sale soon. The tournament also raises money and profile for the Golf Foundation's schools programme.
Terms in This Story
- Hole-in-one
- A shot from the tee that goes straight into the hole, completing the hole in a single stroke.
- Birdie
- A score of one stroke fewer than par on a hole.
- Eagle
- A score of two strokes fewer than par on a hole.
- Albatross
- A score of three strokes fewer than par on a hole, also known as a double eagle.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.