J.J. Spaun’s life has completely changed since lifting the US Open trophy at Oakmont Country Club last month.
Spaun had previously won just one PGA Tour event, and his best-remembered achievement was probably finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship.
He’s now not only a major winner, but he’s up to eighth in the Official World Golf Ranking and should make the United States Ryder Cup team.
Spaun has also noticed that his competitors have started treating him differently since he became the US Open champion.
J.J. Spaun says PGA Tour players treat him differently now
Spaun explained that he’s seen a “complete 180” in how other PGA Tour players communicate with him now that he’s won the US Open.
It’s not that his peers were disrespectful before, but there is certainly a new level of respect after proving he can beat them all on the biggest stage.
“Totally. It’s been a complete 180,” Spaun said before the Scottish Open. “I’ve been out here for eight, nine years now, and you see the same guys, but you kind of notice a little bit of change in tone, or I guess more of like respect.
“You know, you kind of earn some respect out here, especially from the top guys. They engage a little bit more with you. Not that they are different with other players, but you kind of feel you’re at a different level now, winning a major.
“It feels good to kind of earn that respect from my peers, and obviously the greatest players that are out here kind of acknowledging me and making me feel like I belong, which is huge for confidence and huge for self-belief. And it’s nice to be out here, and that confidence goes a long way, whether it’s off the course or on the course.
“The reception, the fans, and the spectators have been incredible. I still kind of can’t fathom every time someone congratulates me for winning the US Open.
“It’s still a pinch-me moment that it’s something that I did do. It’s very cool, and I’m completely honoured to kind of, yeah, earn the respect from the other players and the fans and audience, as well.”
J.J. Spaun looks ahead to Open Championship debut
Spaun’s meteoric rise up the OWGR, after his near miss at The Players and US Open victory, means that he’s qualified for the Open Championship for the first time.
But the 34-year-old has no experience playing links golf, so to prepare for the tournament at Royal Portrush, he’s teeing it up at the Scottish Open this week.
“Not proper links, I would say. I would say the closest I ever got to links was Bandon Dunes over in Oregon,” Spaun said. “I played the US. Amateur Pub Links back in college in 2011, I believe, was when I did that.
“Definitely links style for what I’m used to, but probably not as proper as it is over here. Yeah, it was fun. I enjoyed it.”
After his practice rounds at The Renaissance Club, Spaun shared what adjustments he’s making to his game to prepare for the links challenge.
“Quite a bit,” he added. “I think you’re just trying to figure out how your numbers carry out here as far as the wind goes. I mean, it’s a thicker wind. It might feel 10 to 15, but it plays a lot longer than that if it’s into you.
“As far as that goes and getting your trajectories down, and I think the other thing is getting dialed in with your spin rates, because obviously into the wind that plays a huge part, and how far that’s going to carry into the wind.
“So that, along with the travel and acclimating your sleeping and all that stuff, I think I’ve been here since Saturday. So I’m kind of… I’m finally sleeping through the night.”
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