J.J. Spaun didn’t get the invitation he wanted to Medinah, so he delivered a response that was impossible to ignore at Wentworth.
The 2025 U.S. Open champion won the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday, closing with a 5-under 67 and making four birdies over his final five holes to finish 17 under and claim a two-shot victory at the DP World Tour’s flagship event.
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And Spaun made no attempt to hide what fueled him.
“I played with a huge chip on my shoulder,” Spaun said.
That chip came from being passed over for the 2026 U.S. Presidents Cup team. Captain Brandt Snedeker selected Chris Gotterup, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Jacob Bridgeman and Jackson Koivun with his six captain’s picks.
Spaun finished 10th in the U.S. points standings but was left home despite going 2-1-0 in his Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage Black in 2025.
According to Spaun, Snedeker delivered the news during a brief phone conversation.
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“He said I wasn’t on the team and said I was the ‘odd man out,'” Spaun recalled.
Spaun then went to England and made the most convincing statement available to him.
Starting Sunday one shot off the lead, Spaun bogeyed the opening hole before responding with birdies at Nos. 4 and 5. Then came the finishing surge. He birdied Nos. 14, 15 and 16 before adding another at the par-5 18th to post 17-under 271.
Manuel Elvira briefly threatened to spoil the ending after eagling No. 17 to tie Spaun. But Elvira made double bogey at the final hole, dropping into a tie for second at 15 under with Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and Aaron Rai.
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McIlroy also had an opportunity late but couldn’t produce the eagle he needed at 18.
For Spaun, the victory continued an impressive 2026 season. The 36-year-old also won the Valero Texas Open in April, making Wentworth his second victory of the year.
More importantly, it gave Spaun the ending he wanted after the Presidents Cup disappointment.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Spaun said.
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Being labeled the “odd man out” apparently gave Spaun all the motivation he needed.
And four birdies in five holes provided his answer.
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