Despite a rocky start on Sunday, JJ Spaun etched his name into golf history by winning the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. He became the first player since 2003 to shoot a 40 on the front nine and still go on to win a PGA Tour event. Spaun sank a dramatic 64-foot putt to claim his first-ever major championship, a moment that will change his career forever.
Just a year ago, the 34-year-old was contemplating quitting golf altogether. Spaun has faced a long and difficult road to victory, battling multiple health issues along the way. During a press conference at the Players Championship, he opened up about the moment he felt like walking away from the game.
His U.S. Open victory is a powerful reminder of the beauty of golf and the importance of never giving up.
Check out his press conference below:
Why JJ Spaun Nearly Quit Golf
The past year has been a whirlwind for Spaun. Toward the end of the 2024 season, the now-U.S. Open Champion seriously considered leaving the sport. He reflected on his eight-year career, feeling as though he might not finish inside the top 125, but decided to use the outlook to his advantage instead.
“I had some health stuff, like fighting off viruses and flus, that left me physically unwell. I didn’t want to blame that for my poor play.
“But halfway through the season, it was looking like I was going to be done—not going to finish top 125—and I kind of started thinking, ‘Hey, I’ve played eight years out here. I’ve got a great family. I’ve accomplished things. I’ve won. So it’s not the end of the world if this is how it ends for me,’” Spaun said.
An unlikely source helped shift his perspective: the film Wimbledon. The story follows an aging tennis player on the verge of retirement who ends up winning the tournament. The movie struck a chord with Spaun, giving him the inspiration to keep chasing his dream.
From that point on, his mindset changed, setting the stage for a true fairytale comeback. In 2025, he posted a T-3 finish at the Sony Open, T-2 at the Cognizant Classic, and runner-up at the Players Championship.
JJ Spaun Skyrockets in Rankings After Winning the 2025 U.S. Open
Spaun walked away from Oakmont with a $4.3 million prize, Jack Nicklaus’ medal, and a permanent place in golf history. He’s now just the third player to finish either first or second at the Players Championship and go on to win the U.S. Open in the same year, joining Tiger Woods (2000) and Martin Kaymer (2014).
His U.S. Open victory catapulted him in the Official World Golf Rankings, jumping from 25th to 8th in just one week, securing a spot inside the top 10. The win also boosted his Ryder Cup standings, moving him from 10th to 3rd place.
