Tranlate this title JJ Spaun reveals why Jeremy Clarkson followed him around Wentworth in spanish

JJ Spaun had one unusual face following him around Wentworth during his BMW PGA Championship victory, with Jeremy Clarkson somehow becoming part of the American’s big week in England.

The 36-year-old won the tournament by two shots after a final-round 67, finishing on 17-under and leaving Rory McIlroy, Aaron Rai, Adam Scott and Manuel Elvira in a tie for second.

Spaun was making his first appearance at the BMW PGA Championship, but he looked comfortable on the West Course. He birdied four of his final five holes and then had to wait to see what Elvira would do on the 18th.

The Spaniard had a chance to force a playoff or even win, but a difficult finish ended with a double bogey. That confirmed Spaun as the champion and gave him another big result in a season where he had already won the Valero Texas Open.

There was also a funny story around his wife Melody during the week. She carried a Jeremy Clarkson cut-out while following her husband, something that quickly got attention from fans and cameras.

Spaun later explained that he and his wife are big fans of Clarkson’s Farm and like spending time in the Cotswolds.

“We’ve grown fond of him, along with the English culture, we actually take holidays in December in the Cotswolds, and we really enjoy his show,” Spaun said.

“I went to his pub, The Farmer’s Dog, with the hopes to catch a glimpse of him but he wasn’t around.”

Clarkson became part of Spaun’s week

Spaun said Melody had told him before the tournament that there would be a surprise guest following him at Wentworth.

He did not know what she meant until he saw Clarkson’s face in the gallery.

“She said we would have a surprise guest following me this week if I competed in the tournament and sure enough it was Friday morning, I see the face of Jeremy Clarkson and her holding it,” Spaun said.

Jeremy was there in spirit and I think he brought me good fortune.”

Melody also explained that their interest in Clarkson’s Farm became bigger after they had already visited the Cotswolds. The couple then started watching the show and learned more about farming and the local area.

The story behind the Spauns’ love of @JeremyClarkson and Diddly Squat Farm 🤝#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/rbDqMSuNVN

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 20, 2026

She said they had visited Diddly Squat Farm and The Farmer’s Dog before, while Spaun had hoped Clarkson might be there when they went to the pub.

The American still has not met the television presenter, although the family clearly enjoyed having the cut-out around Wentworth.

There is another funny part of the story. In 2025, after Spaun lost The Players Championship in a playoff, Melody told him that if he won a tournament, he should buy her a cottage in the Cotswolds.

Spaun did not agree and said winning a normal tournament was not enough. When she changed the condition to taking one of golf’s biggest titles, he accepted.

He later won the US Open, and Spaun said his wife started sending him property listings the next day. They have still not bought a cottage.

Presidents Cup snub gave Spaun more motivation

The Clarkson story made people laugh, but Spaun also had another reason to play well at Wentworth.

He was left out of the United States Presidents Cup team despite finishing 10th in the qualification standings. Captain Brandt Snedeker did not use one of his picks on Spaun.

The 36-year-old admitted that decision stayed in his mind during the BMW PGA Championship.

“I played with a huge chip on my shoulder,” Spaun said. “I definitely had something to prove this week, but everything happens for a reason.”

He also revealed that the phone call informing him he had missed the team lasted around 45 seconds.

“Just said I wasn’t on the team and said I was the odd man out. I wished him luck and that was it,” he said.

Spaun had represented the United States at the Ryder Cup last year and believed he had a chance to be picked for the Presidents Cup at Medinah.

Instead, he travelled to England and used that disappointment in a different way.

“The extra motivation, I think that is the willpower that you have. Being left off the Presidents Cup team a couple weeks ago was very disappointing and I wanted to prove that I deserve to be on that team,” Spaun said.

His answer came on the course. Spaun closed with a 67 and became the first player since Byeong Hun An in 2015 to win the BMW PGA Championship on his debut.

He also became another American winner at Wentworth, while his wife and the Jeremy Clarkson cut-out were there when the trophy was secured.