Frédéric Lacroix proved a simple truth this Sunday: the best luck in golf usually needs a charging cable. The French pro drilled a hole-in-one on the 14th at the 2026 BMW PGA Championship, held at Wentworth Club. He didn’t just walk away with a trophy; he took home a brand-new 2027 BMW iX5 60 xDrive with the M Sport Package. This win shifts the entire landscape for prize cars on tour. The days of taking home a gas-guzzling M2 or M4 are officially done.
The Electric Prize Is A Game Changer
Lacroix didn’t grab just any vehicle off the lot. Since the X5 nameplate first rolled out in 1999, he picked the very first fully electric version they’ve ever offered. This specific model hasn’t even hit the online configurators yet, so you can’t buy one right now. Inside, the cabin features white leather upholstery that matches the steering wheel perfectly. The vehicle is the G65 generation, which means it’s fresh off the assembly line. According to bmwblog, the company selected this ride from ten other BMW models available as the hole-in-one reward. Lacroix clearly chose the future over the past.
Previous winners at this tournament have driven away with the M4 Coupe, the i8, and the M2 Coupe. David Howell even led to a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society in 2020 because his ace matched a different model value. But this year, the stakes went up significantly. The first pro to ace the hole could choose their selected BMW or the new iX5. Lacroix took the electric SUV. It’s a massive upgrade for a player who just made a shot that happens once in a lifetime.
Why The 14th Hole Matters Now
Getting a hole-in-one is one of those golfing moments you remember for the rest of your life. Securing one while claiming a brand-new BMW elevates the experience to a totally different tier. For the 163-yard shot, Lacroix grabbed a 7-iron and chose the perfect line. The ball found the cup in one stroke. This achievement marks his first hole-in-one on the DP World Tour. He stands as the sixth competitor in BMW PGA Championship history to claim the tournament’s hole-in-one prize.
The timing of the release is spot on. Deliveries should kick off early next year. Starting October 8, when the configurator launches in Europe, you can construct your ideal iX5 spec. bmwblog reports that the luxobarge without a combustion engine hasn’t even reached customer driveways yet. Lacroix got the keys before the rest of the world could even order one. That is the kind of edge every amateur golfer dreams of.
This win shows that the tour is moving fast toward green technology. The prize serves as a statement on where the industry is heading. The iX5 is worth more than the old M cars because it is new, rare, and electric. Lacroix made the right call. He will have a vehicle that stands out in the parking lot for decades. The 163-yard shot with a 7-iron was the perfect play. Now he has the perfect ride.
