From Journeyman to U.S. Open Champion: The J.J. Spaun Story
Roots & Early Struggles
John Michael “J.J.” Spaun Jr. was born August 21, 1990, in Los Angeles to a diverse background European Filipino and Mexican heritage with a mother who introduced him to golf before birth. Skip forward through skateboarding, a childhood golf net in the garage, and standout performances at San Dimas High, culminating in an All-American season at San Diego State by 2012.
He turned pro in 2012, trudging through the Gateway, Canada, and Korn Ferry tours, finally cracking the PGA Tour in 2017. But inconsistency, illness, and even thoughts of quitting came in 2021 when he lost his card and struggled raising family, managing diabetes, and re-calibrating his career .
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
A Resurgent 2025 Season
2025 became Spaun’s breakout year. He placed strong in multiple events T3 at Sony Open, T2 at Cognizant, and nearly upset Rory McIlroy at The Players, finishing in a playoff. His calm, family-first approach reshaped his game: golf was still his life, but no longer his identity.
Dramatic U.S. Open at Oakmont
Entering Oakmont playing under the radar at +1200 odds, Spaun led the first round with an unprecedented 66, including a record-breaking 4‑under opening nine. Sunday’s final round tested him ferociously with rain delays, five bogeys in six holes, and a front-nine 40. Yet he found his stride on the back nine, going 3‑under, capped by a miraculous 64‑foot birdie putt on 18 to claim his maiden major at −1 overall, a stunning finish even Viktor Hovland called “absolutely filthy”.
Spaun became the only under-par player, finishing two strokes ahead of Robert MacIntyre. His resilience and poise under pressure especially during that iconic final hole earned him $4.3 million and a place in golf lore.
The Bagger 64‑Foot Putt & A Putting Revolution
The Moment
The turning point: Spaun’s 64-foot, rain-slicked bomb on the 72nd hole. His longest putt prior this year was 35 feet; his final eagle strike went nearly twice that, a Michael-Jordan / Kobe walk-off moment.
LAB Putter: The Hidden Weapon
While Spaun’s main putter is a prototype Scotty Cameron, he’s also experimented with high-tech “lie-angle-balanced” (LAB) putters. Reddit buzzed during The Players, fans noting LAB putters atop leaderboards, including Spaun’s final-round flourish. The revolution in feel and alignment may well have been the unsung hero behind that walk-off length.
What This Victory Means
Emotional Odyssey: From near-retirement and misdiagnosis, through mental setbacks and health battles, Spaun’s win is proof that grit outpaces glory.
Underdog Triumph: Ranked outside the top 100 in Europe at the start of the year, Spaun cemented a fairytale presence in the sport with Oakmont’s fiercest challenge.
Tour Momentum: With a major and a Players Championship runner-up under his belt, he’s now a full-time force, solid on Tour, in rankings, and in family life.
What’s Next for J.J. Spaun?
Major Title Defense: Expect him in contention at this summer’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush and next year’s majors.
Putter Tech Spotlight: His use of LAB putters may inspire a wave of tech-driven putting innovation.
Golf’s Everyman Hero: As a father of two, diabetic advocate, and late bloomer, Spaun connects with fans and shows proof that no dream is out of reach.
