It’s hard to overstate just how much JJ Spaun’s career was hanging by a thread. Especially since, for many people who aren’t tuned into golf on a molecular level, the new U.S. Open champion’s emergence seems like it happened overnight. But the truth is, Spaun’s career has been on a steady, if quiet, upward trajectory for several years. The public is finally catching up.
Born in Los Angeles to Filipino and Mexican parents, Spaun’s rise is a classic slow burn. He turned pro in 2012 after a standout collegiate career at San Diego State, but his route to the PGA TOUR was anything but linear. He spent years grinding on mini-tours and the Canadian circuit before earning his Web.com (now Korn Ferry) Tour card. Even after breaking through to the PGA TOUR in 2017, Spaun struggled with injuries and inconsistency, including a stretch where he had to fight just to keep his card. He’s the kind of player who’s had to prove himself at every level, not with sponsor’s exemptions, but with results.
It all appeared to be building toward something bigger when Spaun put himself in contention at the 2025 PLAYERS Championship. The 34-year-old held a one-stroke lead after 54 holes, but stumbled early in the final round and eventually found himself in a playoff with none other than Rory McIlroy. Forced to return the next day due to weather delays, the duel ended in heartbreak: Spaun found the water on the iconic island green 17th and McIlroy closed the door. It’s the type of moment that could haunt a player. But Spaun didn’t view it as a collapse. He saw it as validation, proof that his game belonged with the best.
Three months later, that belief turned into reality.
At the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, one of the most punishing setups in major championship golf, Spaun delivered three near spotless rounds on a course that demanded precision on every single swing. Starting the final round, he wobbled and found himself on the wrong end of the stick, including a shot that caromed off the flagstick and all the way off the green. But he stayed patient as others faltered. By the time he reached the 72nd hole he had a lead to protect, and a 64-foot birdie putt punctuated the victory. He walked off the green not just as a major champion, but as one of the most unlikely and hard-earned success stories in recent memory.
You’ve had a lot of interviews, a lot of media requests in the last 48 hours. Can you give us an idea of what it’s been like since that final putt dropped, and what kind of headspace you’re in right now?
Yeah, it’s been pretty wild. Just even being able to process what I accomplished has been a lot. You kind of jump straight into the gauntlet, the formalities of winning, the trophy ceremony. Next thing you know, you’re not leaving the club until 1AM after a small celebration, signing autographs, doing all that good stuff. Then I had to fly to New York City in the morning.
I only got about three hours of sleep on Sunday night because I got in late and just couldn’t sleep. I woke up at 6AM and decided to start my day. The adrenaline hadn’t really worn off yet. Today’s been a little better. It’s started to sink in more, especially doing all these interviews and media requests. I’m starting to really feel it, that I’m the U.S. Open champ. Hearing it so much, watching replays, and having to articulate it has helped me wrap my head around it. So yeah it’s been a crazy 36, almost 48 hours, but it’s been awesome. A dream come true. I’m so, so happy to be the U.S. Open champ.
Talking through it, doing these interviews, is that giving you a chance to reflect on what went right and how things unfolded?
Oh yeah, totally. It’s been such a blur. At first, I could only really remember the last couple holes. But answering questions, even about the start of the week or my mindset going into Sunday, has brought it all back. It’s helped me wrap my head around everything and acknowledge the full picture. It’s been a good way to soak it in.
How does that compare to a typical round, in terms of what you’re able to remember and how you break down your game? Tee shots, approaches, that kind of thing.
The difference between a normal round and what happened this weekend is that I remember more how I felt, emotionally and physically. The nerves, the anxiety, the comfort level on certain shots. During a regular Thursday or Friday round on tour, you’re just in the routine. Nothing major on the line. But this was the U.S. Open. I could totally feel and remember what I was going through mentally and physically the other day.
“Whatever adversity came my way, I stayed resilient…You never know what’s ahead.”
How did you handle that stress compared to The PLAYERS Championship? Do you feel like you improved mentally?
Honestly, I thought I handled The PLAYERS really well, and I tried to emulate that same approach. I went in with the mindset that I had nothing to lose. I was just going to put together the best score I could with no pressure or expectations. That’s exactly how I approached the U.S. Open.
I remember saying that after my first round on Thursday, it became my mantra for the week. I didn’t try to change anything from The PLAYERS. That experience validated that I could do it. Even though I didn’t win there, it gave me the confidence that carried me through the U.S. Open.
What’s been the most surprising thing since the win? Any unexpected messages or moments?
Hearing from so many people has been amazing. I don’t know if this was surprising, but one of the coolest moments was realizing I’m probably locked in for the Ryder Cup, fingers crossed. But in terms of surprises, Curtis Strange reached out. He’s a two-time back-to-back U.S. Open champion. That meant a lot.
Also, walking around New York City with the trophy was surreal. Getting recognized on the street, doing the media tour. It’s been crazy.
What else is planned in New York for this media tour? Any morning shows or late-night appearances?
We knocked most of that out this morning. I started at 6:30 AM with The Today Show. Then I did CNBC, ABC, Access Hollywood, The Pat McAfee Show, Rich Eisen and SportsCenter. It was a wild day. A lot of talking, especially about myself, which I’m not really used to.
How do you feel about that? Are you someone who’s comfortable talking about yourself?
Not really. I’ve gotten better at it because I know it’s part of my duty to the media. I try to be transparent and available. But if someone sends me a clip of myself on a podcast or interview, I won’t watch it. I get a little cringey watching myself on TV. So yeah, it’s a bit uncomfortable, but I try to do my best.
We saw a clip of you skateboarding floating around on Instagram. Looked like something you posted a while ago. Are you still into skating?
I don’t skate nearly as much as I used to. I grew up in Southern California, and that was the cool thing to do, everyone skated. It was my first passion. I skated a lot growing up, and I was pretty decent, though not good enough to get a sponsorship or turn pro. During COVID, I think I posted a clip, sort of an ice bucket challenge thing, where I did a trick and challenged friends to post their own versions.
I still like having fun with it, but I don’t do anything crazy anymore. Falling at 34 isn’t the same as falling at 14, so I try to limit my time on the board.
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Is it funny to see people digging through your old Instagram posts now?
Yeah, it’s weird. I think people are just curious. They want to get to know me, see where I came from. I’m just glad there’s nothing too embarrassing or immature on there. The internet never forgets. But if people get a laugh or feel inspired, I’m all for it.
Reflecting on your journey, after everything you’ve been through with injuries and keeping your card, is there anything you’d tell your younger self now?
I’d tell my past self to just keep plugging away. I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder. I wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school, probably because I didn’t play enough events to get noticed. But I’ve always had to prove myself, whether in junior golf, college or professionally.
Whatever adversity came my way, I stayed resilient. That’s what I’d tell myself: keep pushing. You never know what’s ahead.
And finally, winning on Father’s Day is such a special thing. What was it like having your family there, and how do they help keep you grounded?
My wife and our two girls, we’re our own little unit. We do everything together. They travel with me most weeks, and they give me balance. Golf can really consume you, especially at majors like the U.S. Open. It’s easy to get stuck in your own head.
Having them on the road means I can leave golf at the course. When I get back, I’m just Dad playing with the kids, dealing with dad duties. I’m not sitting there dwelling on shooting 72 or making a double bogey. They keep me grounded by just being with me, doing our thing.
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