It’s arduous to overstate simply how a lot JJ Spaun’s profession was hanging by a thread. Particularly since, for many individuals who aren’t tuned into golf on a molecular stage, the brand new U.S. Open champion’s emergence looks as if it occurred in a single day. However the reality is, Spaun’s profession has been on a gentle, if quiet, upward trajectory for a number of years. The general public is lastly catching up.
Born in Los Angeles to Filipino and Mexican dad and mom, Spaun’s rise is a basic gradual burn. He turned professional in 2012 after a standout collegiate profession at San Diego State, however his path to the PGA TOUR was something however linear. He spent years grinding on mini-tours and the Canadian circuit earlier than incomes his Net.com (now Korn Ferry) Tour card. Even after breaking by to the PGA TOUR in 2017, Spaun struggled with accidents and inconsistency, together with a stretch the place he needed to battle simply to maintain his card. He’s the form of participant who’s needed to show himself at each stage, not with sponsor’s exemptions, however with outcomes.
All of it gave the impression to be constructing towards one thing larger when Spaun put himself in rivalry on the 2025 PLAYERS Championship. The 34-year-old held a one-stroke lead after 54 holes, however stumbled early within the remaining spherical and finally discovered himself in a playoff with none aside from Rory McIlroy. Pressured to return the following day on account of climate delays, the duel resulted in heartbreak: Spaun discovered the water on the enduring island inexperienced seventeenth and McIlroy closed the door. It’s the kind of second that might hang-out a participant. However Spaun didn’t view it as a collapse. He noticed it as validation, proof that his sport belonged with the most effective.
Three months later, that perception become actuality.
On the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Nation Membership, some of the punishing setups in main championship golf, Spaun delivered three close to spotless rounds on a course that demanded precision on each single swing. Beginning the ultimate spherical, he wobbled and located himself on the improper finish of the stick, together with a shot that caromed off the flagstick and all the way in which off the inexperienced. However he stayed affected person as others faltered. By the point he reached the 72nd gap he had a result in shield, and a 64-foot birdie putt punctuated the victory. He walked off the inexperienced not simply as a serious champion, however as some of the unlikely and hard-earned success tales in current reminiscence.
Patrick Smith/Andy Lyons/Getty Photographs
Patrick Smith/Andy Lyons/Getty Photographs
Patrick Smith/Andy Lyons/Getty Photographs
You’ve had quite a lot of interviews, quite a lot of media requests within the final 48 hours. Are you able to give us an concept of what it’s been like since that remaining putt dropped, and how much headspace you’re in proper now?
Yeah, it’s been fairly wild. Simply even having the ability to course of what I achieved has been quite a bit. You form of soar straight into the gauntlet, the formalities of successful, the trophy ceremony. Subsequent factor you recognize, you’re not leaving the membership till 1AM after a small celebration, signing autographs, doing all that good things. Then I needed to fly to New York Metropolis within the morning.
I solely acquired about three hours of sleep on Sunday night time as a result of I acquired in late and simply couldn’t sleep. I wakened at 6AM and determined to start out my day. The adrenaline hadn’t actually worn off but. At this time’s been a bit higher. It’s began to sink in additional, particularly doing all these interviews and media requests. I’m beginning to actually really feel it, that I’m the U.S. Open champ. Listening to it a lot, watching replays, and having to articulate it has helped me wrap my head round it. So yeah it’s been a loopy 36, virtually 48 hours, however it’s been superior. A dream come true. I’m so, so completely satisfied to be the U.S. Open champ.
Speaking by it, doing these interviews, is that supplying you with an opportunity to replicate on what went proper and the way issues unfolded?
Oh yeah, completely. It’s been such a blur. At first, I might solely actually keep in mind the final couple holes. However answering questions, even concerning the begin of the week or my mindset going into Sunday, has introduced all of it again. It’s helped me wrap my head round every little thing and acknowledge the complete image. It’s been a great way to soak it in.
How does that evaluate to a typical spherical, by way of what you’re in a position to keep in mind and the way you break down your sport? Tee pictures, approaches, that form of factor.
The distinction between a traditional spherical and what occurred this weekend is that I keep in mind extra how I felt, emotionally and bodily. The nerves, the anxiousness, the consolation stage on sure pictures. Throughout an everyday Thursday or Friday spherical on tour, you’re simply within the routine. Nothing main on the road. However this was the U.S. Open. I might completely really feel and keep in mind what I used to be going by mentally and bodily the opposite day.
“No matter adversity got here my means, I stayed resilient…You by no means know what’s forward.”
How did you deal with that stress in comparison with The PLAYERS Championship? Do you’re feeling such as you improved mentally?
Actually, I believed I dealt with The PLAYERS rather well, and I attempted to emulate that very same strategy. I went in with the mindset that I had nothing to lose. I used to be simply going to place collectively the most effective rating I might with no strain or expectations. That’s precisely how I approached the U.S. Open.
I keep in mind saying that after my first spherical on Thursday, it grew to become my mantra for the week. I didn’t attempt to change something from The PLAYERS. That have validated that I might do it. Regardless that I didn’t win there, it gave me the arrogance that carried me by the U.S. Open.
What’s been probably the most stunning factor because the win? Any sudden messages or moments?
Listening to from so many individuals has been wonderful. I don’t know if this was stunning, however one of many coolest moments was realizing I’m most likely locked in for the Ryder Cup, fingers crossed. However by way of surprises, Curtis Unusual reached out. He’s a two-time back-to-back U.S. Open champion. That meant quite a bit.
Additionally, strolling round New York Metropolis with the trophy was surreal. Getting acknowledged on the road, doing the media tour. It’s been loopy.
What else is deliberate in New York for this media tour? Any morning reveals or late-night appearances?
We knocked most of that out this morning. I began at 6:30 AM with The At this time Present. Then I did CNBC, ABC, Entry Hollywood, The Pat McAfee Present, Wealthy Eisen and SportsCenter. It was a wild day. Plenty of speaking, particularly about myself, which I’m not likely used to.
How do you’re feeling about that? Are you somebody who’s snug speaking about your self?
Probably not. I’ve gotten higher at it as a result of I do know it’s a part of my obligation to the media. I attempt to be clear and accessible. But when somebody sends me a clip of myself on a podcast or interview, I received’t watch it. I get a bit cringey watching myself on TV. So yeah, it’s a bit uncomfortable, however I attempt to do my greatest.
We noticed a clip of you skateboarding floating round on Instagram. Seemed like one thing you posted some time in the past. Are you continue to into skating?
I don’t skate almost as a lot as I used to. I grew up in Southern California, and that was the cool factor to do, everybody skated. It was my first ardour. I skated quite a bit rising up, and I used to be fairly respectable, although not adequate to get a sponsorship or flip professional. Throughout COVID, I feel I posted a clip, type of an ice bucket problem factor, the place I did a trick and challenged pals to put up their very own variations.
I nonetheless like having enjoyable with it, however I don’t do something loopy anymore. Falling at 34 isn’t the identical as falling at 14, so I attempt to restrict my time on the board.
Is it humorous to see individuals digging by your previous Instagram posts now?
Yeah, it’s bizarre. I feel persons are simply curious. They wish to get to know me, see the place I got here from. I’m simply glad there’s nothing too embarrassing or immature on there. The web by no means forgets. But when individuals get amusing or really feel impressed, I’m all for it.
Reflecting in your journey, after every little thing you’ve been by with accidents and protecting your card, is there something you’d inform your youthful self now?
I’d inform my previous self to only hold plugging away. I’ve all the time had a chip on my shoulder. I wasn’t closely recruited out of highschool, most likely as a result of I didn’t play sufficient occasions to get seen. However I’ve all the time needed to show myself, whether or not in junior golf, school or professionally.
No matter adversity got here my means, I stayed resilient. That’s what I’d inform myself: hold pushing. You by no means know what’s forward.
And eventually, successful on Father’s Day is such a particular factor. What was it like having your loved ones there, and the way do they assist hold you grounded?
My spouse and our two women, we’re our personal little unit. We do every little thing collectively. They journey with me most weeks, they usually give me steadiness. Golf can actually eat you, particularly at majors just like the U.S. Open. It’s straightforward to get caught in your personal head.
Having them on the highway means I can go away golf on the course. Once I get again, I’m simply Dad taking part in with the children, coping with dad duties. I’m not sitting there dwelling on taking pictures 72 or making a double bogey. They hold me grounded by simply being with me, doing our factor.
