J.J. Spaun admitted he was playing with a chip on his shoulder this week after not being selected to represent the United States in the Presidents Cup, and he made his point heard on the golf course with a two-shot victory against a world-class field at the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday.
Most eyes were on Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy as he entered the final round at Wentworth Club in Surrey, England, two shots behind untested 54-hole co-leaders leaders Filippo Celli from Italy and Spain’s Manuel Elvira. But also lurking in the hunt was Spaun, who began Sunday only one shot off the pace.
Spaun went on to card a 5-under-par round of 67 on Sunday to win the DP World Tour’s flagship $9 million event with a total score of 17 under. The win against a field chock-full of big names came after Spaun was not selected by captain Brandt Snedeker for next week’s Presidents Cup, with the captain’s picks announced a week after Spaun withdrew from the Tour Championship with a shoulder injury.
“I have not. We haven’t spoken,” Spaun said when asked if the win sent a message to Snedeker. “But yeah, I played with a huge chip on my shoulder. I definitely had something to prove this week. But everything happens for a reason. I’m so delighted to be here and just to even play this event.
“The extra motivation, I think that is the willpower that you kind of have. And being left off the Presidents Cup team a couple weeks ago was very disappointing, and you know, I wanted to prove that I deserve to be on that team. I took care of my business this week. So all the best to the team next week at Medinah and I’ll be watching.”
McIlroy shot a 68 and was the only player in the field to post four rounds in the 60s this week. But his 15 under total left the Masters champion in a four-way tie for second with Elvira, Australia’s Adam Scott and England’s Aaron Rai, who was seeking to build on his victory at the PGA Championship this year.
Patrick Reed, who withdrew on Friday due to a left hand/wrist injury, is projected to maintain the lead in the Race to Dubai, but McIlroy closed the gap significantly this week.
“I have to be encouraged with where my game is at,” McIlroy said. “I’m excited. 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.”
Celli managed a 1-under 71 on Sunday to finish in a tie for sixth at 14 under along with the Netherlands’ Joost Luiten, England’s Alex Fitzpatrick and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox.
