Only those without an ounce of compassion in their body could feel no sympathy for Manuel Elvira. The Spaniard, without a professional win to his name, stood on the 18th fairway at Wentworth’s West Course with one of golf’s most extraordinary stories in his grasp. Having just eagled the 71st hole and found the short grass on the friendly par five, the 30-year-old who began tournament week as the world’s 294th ranked player knew a birdie would seal the PGA Championship title.
A par would force Spaun into a playoff. What happened next was a form of sporting torture rather than the realisation of a fairytale. Elvira pulled his layup into a bunker, flew the green, fluffed a chip into another sand trap and missed a bogey putt from 4ft.
He did exceptionally well not to burst into tears. The disastrous 18th meant Elvira finished in a four-way tie for second place. Even Spaun, a winner on his Wentworth debut, had to be bashful at the manner of success.
I have played some of the best golf probably of my life.” Beware the jilted golfer. Spaun arrived in England carrying a grudge at being overlooked for next weekend’s Presidents Cup where the US will take on an international team at Medinah. His omission was odd even before this victory.
Rory McIlroy, during post-tournament media duties, had assumed Spaun was part of Brandt Snedeker’s team. Americans have now won three of the last six editions of the DP World Tour’s flagship event. This win means it is seriously difficult to believe Spaun will be ignored again when the US take on Europe in Ireland at next year’s Ryder Cup.
Spaun and his family have become regular visitors to the Cotswolds after developing a fondness for the television show Clarkson’s Farm. To add to a wacky closing scene in Surrey, Spaun’s wife was waving a Clarkson mask around as the champion was confirmed. Seventeen under par proved sufficient to take the trophy by two strokes.
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