Patrick Cantlay triumphs at the BMW Championship 2022, becoming the first player to successfully defend a FedExCup title

+++ Patrick Cantlay (USA) prevails at the Wilmington Country Club with 270 strokes (14 under par) +++ 110,000 spectators enjoy the first BMW Championship in the US state of Delaware +++ Viktor Hovland (NOR) produces hole-in-one on the final day +++ All proceeds from the tournament going to the Evans Scholars Foundation +++

Munich/Wilmington. At the Wilmington Country Club (Delaware), Cantlay repeated his performance from last year at the Caves Valley Golf Club (Baltimore) to prevail against a world-class field. As in 2021, the 30-year-old held his nerve through the final few holes. The leading group were involved in a tight battle until late in the final round, featuring Scott Stallings, world no. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele (all USA). A birdie at the 17th hole represented the decisive advantage for Cantlay, who went on to write PGA TOUR history: this was the very first time in the 15-year history of the Playoffs that a player had won FedExCup tournament two years in a row.

“Congratulations to Patrick Cantlay for defending his title and becoming the first player to win the BMW Championship in consecutive years,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Human Resources and Real Estate. “It has been a fantastic tournament week at a fantastic venue with great fans. Many thanks to the Wilmington Country Club, volunteers and everyone involved. In addition to hosting a great tournament, the BMW Group is especially proud to know that the BMW Championship makes a difference in the lives of so many young people.”

All proceeds from the BMW Championship, will support the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF). The ESF provides full tuition and housing scholarships for hardworking young caddies. Since the tournament’s inception 16 years ago, the BMW Championship has raised over $40 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation and helped send 3,300 caddies to college. For the upcoming school year, a record 1,100 Evans Scholars will attend 22 leading universities nationwide.

Viktor Hovland, 2021 BMW International Open champion, hit the shot of the tournament on the final Sunday. The 24-year-old world number ten aced the second hole. BMW traditionally donates a four-year Evans Scholarship, full tuition and a housing grant, worth 125,000 US dollars, to the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF). This is the sixth time in the history of the BMW Championship that this has happened.

Cantlay laid the foundations for his eighth win on the PGA TOUR with a round of 65 to put himself in the lead going into the final day. A solid overall performance and a sensational finish at the final two holes with some superb approach shots were then enough for the 2021 Ryder Cup winner on Sunday. Last year, Cantlay had to compete in a play-off over six extra holes against Bryson De Chambeau (USA) before he was able to celebrate victory in the BMW Championship.

“There were a lot of similarities between last year and this year. The courses remind me of each other,” Cantlay said. “It’s always great to come up here to the north east. Thanks to all the fans because they make it a special experience.”

Second place went to Stallings (-13). Placed 106th in the world rankings, he was just one shot away from a sensational result. Scheffler and Schauffele (both -11) were tied for third place ahead of Adam Scott (AUS), Corey Conners (CAN) and K.H. Lee (KOR, all -10).

The share of third was enough for Scheffler to head to the TOUR Championship Playoffs Final as FedExCup leader. This will take place next week at the East Lake Golf Club (Atlanta), with the BMW Group as “Official Vehicle Partner”. Cantlay and Will Zalatoris (USA), who was forced to retire due to injury during the third round, follow in second and third places.

The BMW Championship is the penultimate playoff tournament and the most significant barrier on the way to the season finale, which will feature just 30 of the 68 players appearing in Wilmington. Aaron Wise (USA) was the last one to book his ticket. Shane Lowry, the Open winner in 2019, produced a strong performance to share 12th place at the BMW Championship but remained marooned in 31st position in the FedExCup. The Irishman was just one shot away from qualifying for Atlanta.

Next year, the BMW Championship will take place at the Olympia Field Country Club in Chicago, the location for the 2020 tournament, before moving to the Castle Pines Golf Club, south of Denver, for the first time in 2023. The venues for 2025, Caves Valley Golf Club (Baltimore), and 2026, Bellerive Country Club (St. Louis), were announced last Tuesday.