David Puig follows in Seve Ballesteros' footsteps with BMW Australian PGA Championship win

David Puig marked his first start as a full member of the DP World Tour in spectacular fashion, becoming just the second Spaniard after Seve Ballesteros to lift the BMW Australian PGA Championship trophy at Royal Queensland Golf Club. 

The 23-year-old delivered a composed and clinical final-round 66 to claim his maiden DP World Tour victory by two shots on 18-under-par.

Puig, who competes in the LIV Golf League for Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC, had begun the final day in a three-way share of the lead. But he wasted no time in stamping his authority on the tournament, opening with a burst of three consecutive birdies at the second, third and fourth to move clear of the field. From that point on, he never relinquished control.

Further birdies at the eighth and 13th helped to keep his challengers at arm’s length, and a run of measured pars coming home ensured he became the first champion of the 2026 DP World Tour season.

China’s Wenyi Ding emerged as Puig’s closest competitor, carding a bogey-free closing 66 that included seven birdies to finish alone in second at 16-under. Marc Leishman and Nick Voke finished a shot further back.

Puig’s Sunday round was built on moments of both brilliance and resilience. He holed from 30 feet at the third, then finally took advantage of the par-three fourth for the first time all week to complete his early hat-trick. His long-range birdie putt at the eighth gave him added breathing room, while a clutch par save from five feet at the 11th preserved his momentum at a crucial stage.

His approach into the 13th was arguably the shot of the day, leaving a simple tap-in to stretch his lead to four. A smart up-and-down at the 14th kept his card clean, and although Ding applied late pressure, Puig’s cool par save at the 16th underlined the composure he spoke about afterwards. Two steady closing pars were all that remained between him and a landmark first DP World Tour triumph.

"It feels unbelievable, especially winning here in Australia. They have awesome golf so I'm really excited and happy," said Puig. 

"I was definitely nervous, but I think I kind of kept my composure really well. Obviously that start helped a lot."

The young Spaniard also reflected on following in the footsteps of Ballesteros, his country’s legendary standard-bearer.

Puig said: "I never saw him (Seve) play in person, which kind of sucks to be honest, but obviously you watch replays of every major he won and kind how he did and his little movie and show that there is, seen it at least three or four times. 

"He’s such a big figure for Spanish golf and you see also Jon (Rahm) and pretty much every player but kind of close with Jon Rahm and the stories that he has and all he knows about what Seve accomplished too and everything.

"It’s just his presence and everything he accomplished. I guess it’s just part of Spanish players and in a way we try to be like Seve and play with that freedom. Kind of follow his short game a little bit and his attitude and behaviour and how much he cared and all that. So we all kind of try and look like a little bit like him and hopefully we’re kind on the right path."

Next week, the DP World Tour stays in the nation for the Crown Australian Open at Royal Melbourne, which welcomes the return of Rory McIlroy for the first time since 2014. McIlroy won the historic event in 2013 at Royal Pines GC.