JJ Spaun Notices 'Complete 180' in Players' Attitude After U.S. Open Win
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Do you remember when JJ Spaun drained that 65-foot birdie putt at rain-soaked Oakmonton to win the U.S. Open?
One would still get chills if they see Spaun, soaked and stunned, raise his arms and throw the club in the air as the ball disappears into the cup.
ABSOLUTE CINEMA
J.J.'S PUTT TO WIN THE U.S. OPEN FROM EVERY ANGLE pic.twitter.com/5eKaR9Zali — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 16, 2025
That Father's Day was like a turning point for the 34-year-old dad. He broke down in tears right after, and the golf world broke open with praise.
Adam Scott, Spaun's longtime idol, was among the first to congratulate him. And an old tweet Spaun posted years ago, admiring Scott, went viral overnight.
But the American pro's biggest revelation came this week at the Genesis Scottish Open, where he admitted that life on Tour has flipped since he lifted the trophy at Oakmont.
"It's been a complete 180," he admitted on Wednesday.
NORTH BERWICK, SCOTLAND - JULY 09: J. J. Spaun of the United States looks on during the pro-am prior to the Genesis Scottish Open 2025 at The Renaissance Club on July 09, 2025 in North...
NORTH BERWICK, SCOTLAND - JULY 09: J. J. Spaun of the United States looks on during the pro-am prior to the Genesis Scottish Open 2025 at The Renaissance Club on July 09, 2025 in North Berwick, Scotland. (Photo by) More
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"I've been out here for eight, nine years now... but you kind of notice a little bit of change in tone or I guess more of like respect.
"Especially from the top guys," Spaun highlighted. "They engage a little bit more with you. You kind of feel you're at a different level now, winning a major."
One of those top guys was Jack Nicklaus. Spaun recalled a moment at the Memorial Tournament, just a week before Oakmont, when the Golden Bear stopped him.
"He just said I was playing really well. I said, 'Yeah, it would've been nice to win.' He's like, 'You keep knocking on that door, you're going to knock one down.'"
The 34-year-old did exactly that, and Nicklaus followed up with a personal letter. "It was really cool," Spaun said.
Now he stands at No. 8 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), but still feels stunned by the attention.
"It feels good to kind of earn that respect from my peers... making me feel like I belong, which is huge for confidence and huge for self-belief."
He added, "I still kind of can't fathom every time someone congratulates me for winning the U.S. Open. It's still a pinch-me moment... I'm completely honored."
Now, back at the Genesis Scottish Open, JJ Spuan shot an even par 70 during his opening round. He is six shots off the lead.
More Golf: PGA Tour posts persimmon gift for Rory McIlroy amid Grand Slam
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