J.J. Spaun hit the high mark for any golfer on their way up the ranks turned pro. He won his first major title at the U.S. Open, held that year at Oakmont Country Club. Regardless of any larger implications, Spaun’s victory is a personal triumph for him. It fine tunes his game to be the best state for next month’s Ryder Cup. With this win, he has secured a place among the top contenders for a spot on the prestigious team, further increasing his standing in the world of golf.
Spaun’s unpredictable path to the winner’s circle was fraught with obstacles. He struggled mightily on the PGA Tour last season. He missed the cut in ten of his first fifteen tournaments and had a disappointing year finishing ranked 169th in the world. His play at Oakmont was the sign of a turnaround, as he played with skill and resolve over the four-day tournament.
Overcoming the elements was another hurdle for Spaun, who navigated a day marked by rainy and windy conditions that made Oakmont even more treacherous for competitors. Even with these difficulties, he ended the week as the only golfer under par, finishing 1-under 279. He atoned with steady play on the back nine, carding a bogey-free 2-under. This inspired stretch of golf proved enough for him to take the clubhouse lead.
A Breakthrough Victory
Spaun’s win is a testament to how markedly he putted his way there throughout the week. At the most crucial juncture, he buried an incredible 64-foot birdie putt to seal his dramatic winning score. This achievement proves not only his technical ability, but his psychological strength in stressful scenarios.
Reflecting on his journey, Spaun noted, “Last year in June I was looking like I was going to lose my job, and that was when I had that moment where, ‘If this is how I go out, I might as well go down swinging.’” This powerful statement speaks to his determination and will to succeed even after facing setbacks and challenges.
His coach, Josh Gregory, highlighted that Spaun’s mindset was always about the pursuit of perfection. Gregory stated, “It’d be very easy to settle and say what I’m doing works. To his credit, he said ‘I need to be better.’” That commitment has certainly borne fruit, as Spaun has completely righted the ship from last summer to now.
Ryder Cup Aspirations
With his win at the U.S. Open, Spaun has shown that he’s not scared of the spotlight. This win puts him firmly on Ryder Cup team radar. He now sits third in Ryder Cup points. He’s only behind world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and two-time major winner Xander Schauffele. The first six players in the points standings following the BMW Championship on August 17 will qualify automatically for the team. This would all combine to make Spaun’s present success seem extremely rosy.
Prior to this week, he had made roughly $17 million over his career. This figure is a testament to his extraordinary gift and incredible commitment over time. It is recent performance that has really catapulted his professional golf stock. As he reflects on his newfound success, Spaun acknowledges the importance of maintaining momentum: “I keep progressing in the right direction, and to have a chance to win a major championship without my best stuff and not feeling very comfortable, it’s super cool,” said Viktor Hovland.
With the Ryder Cup set for September this year, it’s front and center in Spaun’s mind. He’s hungry to make sure he gets a spot on the team. If you look here over the last few months—his play here in championship Sunday—he’s definitely proven he can play at this level. In reality, he’s doing amazingly well!
The Road Ahead
With more PGA Tour events on the way, Spaun wants to keep climbing in the right direction within professional golf. He struggled through his first tour season after a qualitatively inconsistent 2021 NCAA season, but this year became—and is still—one of the most exciting players on tour. His winning play at Oakmont is one of many signs that he’s due for a breakout summer.
There’s plenty of competition luring the Ryder Cup in intense focus as well. Even Xander Schauffele, who voiced his own struggles, admitted he’d be inspired to get back on track. He mentioned, “I felt like I was playing at a pretty high level. Then I got hurt…accepting that was tough.” With the new competitive set of Schauffele and others looking to return themselves to the top tableau, the competitive field is much more complex than the past.
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