J.J. Spaun claimed a dramatic victory at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, while France’s Frédéric Lacroix left the tournament with a rather different prize after a hole-in-one earned him a new all-electric BMW iX5.
Spaun, making his first appearance in the DP World Tour’s flagship event, finished on 17 under par with a four-round total of 271, closing with a 67 after birdies on four of his final five holes.
The American became only the third US player to win the BMW PGA Championship, following Arnold Palmer in 1975 and Billy Horschel in 2021 and 2024.
But for BMW, one of the weekend’s biggest moments came several hours earlier at Wentworth’s 14th hole.
Hole-in-one wins new BMW iX5
Frédéric Lacroix recorded his first DP World Tour hole-in-one when he struck a 7-iron from 163 yards and watched his ball find the cup.
The reward was considerably more substantial than the traditional clubhouse round of drinks: a new BMW iX5 xDrive60 M Sport.
Lacroix will be among the first drivers to experience the battery-electric version of BMW’s X5, with the fifth-generation SUV introducing technology derived from the company’s Neue Klasse programme.
The first versions of the new BMW X5 are scheduled to reach the market in late November 2026, with battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models following in early 2027.
“A hole-in-one is always special but this is extra, it’s a very special moment,” said Lacroix.
“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.”
Spaun survives dramatic Wentworth finale
The battle for the championship remained wide open deep into Sunday’s final round.
Rory McIlroy, Aaron Rai and Adam Scott were among those challenging for the title, along with Spain’s Manuel Elvira.
Elvira drew level with Spaun after making eagle at the 17th, setting up a dramatic finish. But a double bogey at the par-five 18th ended his hopes of securing a first DP World Tour victory.
Elvira, McIlroy, Rai and Scott finished tied for second on 15 under par.
Reigning Open champion and 2023 BMW PGA Championship winner Ryan Fox shared sixth place on 14 under with Matt Fitzpatrick, Joost Luiten and Filippo Celli.
Spaun, meanwhile, held his nerve to complete rounds of 70, 66, 68 and 67 and secure the title.
“It means so much,” said Spaun. “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.”
BMW’s hole-in-one history at Wentworth
Lacroix becomes the sixth player in BMW PGA Championship history to claim a hole-in-one prize.
Andrew Johnston and Chris Wood both won BMW models in 2015, while Scott Jamieson and James Morrison repeated the feat a year later.
David Howell also aced the 14th hole in 2020, when the tournament was staged during the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of awarding the BMW 530e xDrive Touring normally offered as the prize, BMW donated its equivalent value of £71,675 to the Alzheimer’s Society.
That same tournament also produced one of Wentworth’s most remarkable shots when Ross Fisher recorded an albatross on the West Course’s famous 18th hole to claim a BMW i8 Roadster Rosso Corsa.
His remains the only albatross on the finishing hole in the tournament’s history.
Neil Fiorentinos, Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group UK and Ireland, said: “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.”
He added: “Congratulations to J.J. Spaun and his caddie Mark Carens on an exceptional victory.”
