J.J. Spaun Finds Form in England After Presidents Cup Snub

J.J. Spaun is genuinely happy to be in England this week. "My family and I actually vacation over here in the wintertime," he shared after the second round of the BMW PGA Championship, a key event on the DP World Tour. "So any excuse to come to the U.K., and England, especially, we try to make it happen. It’s nice the way the schedule worked out for me this fall to be here."

This wasn't just a polite remark for the local media; Spaun and his family truly enjoy England. "We go to the Cotswolds in mid-December for a couple weeks and just kind of enjoy the English culture. We feel the Christmas spirit a lot when we are over here," he explained. "It’s a lot of fun, just my wife and my two children. We have a good time and hang out at the pubs and relax."

However, something bittersweet underlies Spaun's comment about his schedule. He's at Wentworth partly because he won't be in Chicago next week, having been overlooked for the U.S. Presidents Cup team. Despite finishing 10th on the points list, Spaun's summer form faded. He didn't record a top 20 in his final five starts and withdrew from the Tour Championship due to injury, which likely sealed his fate. Still, his exclusion came as a surprise to many.

"Yeah, I think it was disappointing to be left off," Spaun admitted. "I mean, I wasn’t really — I wasn’t expecting it, to be honest."

"But yeah, I wanted to continue to play golf, whether it was going to be here or at the Presidents Cup in Medinah. I always had this circled, if I didn’t get in Medinah."

Spaun debuted for a U.S. team at last year's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where he went 2-1-0, being one of only three Americans with a winning record. "Yeah, I kind of hung my hat on my experience with the Ryder Cup last year. Made it to the Tour Championship this year. I won in San Antonio [at the Valero Texas Open]. I kind of did everything I could. I was the odd man out."

He's not the only American golfer overlooked for the Presidents Cup playing at Wentworth; Ryan Gerard, another potential U.S. team member, held the 36-hole lead. Spaun sat sixth at the halfway point, with added motivation for the weekend. "Definitely. That’s the goal," he confirmed.

In Saturday's third round, Spaun played what he described as "J.J. golf"— mistake-free golf. His performance, featuring five birdies and one bogey, moved him to 12 under par. He's now just one shot behind co-leaders Manuel Elvira and Filippo Celli heading into Sunday's final round, with a crowded leaderboard. Gerard, meanwhile, dropped to T16.

J.J. Spaun Finds Form in England After Presidents Cup Snub

J.J. Spaun genuinely expresses his happiness to be in England this week. "My family and I actually vacation over here in the wintertime," he stated after the second round of the BMW PGA Championship, a premier event on the DP World Tour. "So any excuse to come to the U.K., and England particularly, we try to make it happen. It's fortunate the schedule aligned for me this fall to be here."

This sentiment goes beyond a simple gesture to the local press; Spaun and his family have a real fondness for England. "We visit the Cotswolds in mid-December for a couple of weeks and simply enjoy the English culture. We feel the Christmas spirit strongly when we are here," he remarked. "It's great fun, just my wife and my two children. We have a good time, frequent the pubs, and relax."

However, there's an undeniable bittersweet undertone to Spaun's initial comment about his schedule. He's competing at Wentworth, in part, because he won't be in Chicago the following week, having been excluded from the U.S. Presidents Cup team. Despite securing 10th place on the points list, Spaun's performance didn't peak over the summer. He failed to achieve a top 20 finish in his final five tournaments and, crucially, withdrew from the Tour Championship due to injury, which likely sealed his fate. Nevertheless, his omission was somewhat surprising.

"Yes, I felt disappointed to be left off," he said. "Honestly, I wasn't really expecting it."

"But yes, I intended to keep playing golf, whether it was here or at the Presidents Cup in Medinah. I always had this event marked if I didn't make it to Medinah."

Spaun performed well at Bethpage Black in last year's Ryder Cup, marking his debut for a U.S. team. He achieved a 2-1-0 record, becoming one of only three Americans with a winning record by the tournament's conclusion. "Yes, I felt my experience from last year's Ryder Cup was a significant factor. I reached the Tour Championship this year. I won in San Antonio [at the Valero Texas Open]. I felt I did everything I could. I was the odd man out."

He is not the only American golfer to miss out on the Presidents Cup and be competing at Wentworth this week; Ryan Gerard, another player who could have been a U.S. team member, held the 36-hole lead. Spaun was positioned sixth at the halfway mark, carrying a little extra motivation to contend over the weekend. "Definitely. That’s the objective," he affirmed.

Then came Saturday's third round. Spaun delivered what he termed "J.J. golf," essentially a clean round with no mistakes. His effort, marked by five birdies and one bogey, propelled him to 12 under par, placing him just one shot behind Manuel Elvira and Filippo Celli on a tightly packed leaderboard heading into Sunday's final round. (Gerard fell to T16.) This performance solidifies any question of his added motivation.