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J.J. Spaun’s career took a massive leap after winning the 2025 US Open, his first major title. The 33-year-old finished 1-under-par at Oakmont, two strokes ahead of the field, securing the biggest win of his career.
The win not only earned him a spot in history but also gave his Official World Golf Ranking a major boost. Spaun, who started 2024 ranked outside the top 100, was 166th at one point last year. With this breakthrough performance, he now sits at World No. 8. He also jumped to sixth in the FedExCup standings, putting him in a strong position to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship for the first time.
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Speaking on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio with Taylor Zarzour, J.J. Spaun reflected on his journey and mindset shift over the past year.
"I think I'm just maybe getting older and wiser. But I think a lot has to do with perspective, knowing that golf isn't my life. I'm raising two beautiful girls and having a great family. And just kind of accepting whatever gets thrown my way," he said.
J.J. Spaun admitted that he used to fear pressure moments on the course, but facing those situations more often has helped him feel more confident.
"I used to be afraid of being in the moments. And now I m just more afraid of failing. But now that i have been putting myself in those moments, you know, throughout the year, I have been having better outcomes. And it's all kind of led to this huge moment this week," he added.
When asked whether winning a US Open was ever something he imagined, J.J. Spaun wasn’t sure.
"No. Maybe. I don't know. I was having weird dreams this week. But, you know, younger, I didn't know my ceiling. I didn't know how far I could go in this game. I didn't know if I would even be a successful PGA Tour pro. And I just, you know, kind of shocked myself, you know, every year as I go, you know, as far as I can go. So the sky's the limit," he conclude.
The American retained his PGA Tour card for 2025 and had contended on multiple occasions this season without reaching the winner's circle, with another opportunity looking set to pass at Oakmont after five bogeys in the first six holes of his final round left him five strokes off the lead.
Earlier this year, J.J. Spaun had already secured his PGA Tour card for 2025. He went close to winning several times, but hadn’t broken through until Oakmont. During the final round, he struggled early with five bogeys in the first six holes and fell five shots behind. But he managed to bounce back and finish strong, clinching the all-important victory.
J.J. Spaun’s win puts him in strong position for Ryder Cup debut
J.J. Spaun's victory at the 2025 US Open has pushed him up to third in the Ryder Cup qualification standings, putting him in position to automatically qualify for Team USA. The Ryder Cup will be held later this year at Bethpage Black, and if Spaun stays in the top spots, it would mark his debut in the event.
Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, speaking on Golf Channel, praised Spaun’s performance and potential impact for the Americans.
"I said I hope in some ways he doesn't win, because he'll be on that Ryder Cup team. That's how impressed I am with him and I've watched him closely," he mentioned.
Team USA, led by captain Keegan Bradley, will look to bounce back after losing to Team Europe in Rome in 2023.
