J.J. Spaun reveals what Keegan Bradley left in his locker during the US Open at Oakmont, ‘it was actually really cool’

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J.J. Spaun is a big deal in the world of professional golf right now after his US Open win at Oakmont.

Spaun stunned everyone with his thrilling US Open victory, after defying the odds following a horror front nine during the final round at Oakmont.

He finished with two birdies to win his national championship in dramatic style.

Spaun was hitting the ball incredibly well during the build-up to the US Open, so it wouldn’t have been a shock to him that he was in contention come Sunday.

He certainly wasn’t one of the favourites to reign supreme at Oakmont though.

After the rain delay midway through the final round, Spaun came out like a man possessed on his way to winning the US Open.

It would have been impossible for Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley not to be impressed by Spaun’s performance.

Bradley will potentially act as a playing captain at Bethpage Black, so he has a lot to think about right now.

However, one thing he really doesn’t have to be worried about is Spaun’s ability to play a key role for Team USA in September.

J.J. Spaun reveals what Keegan Bradley left in his locker during the US Open

Spaun is a player who has immense talent, but he has struggled with his self-belief throughout the years.

So his win at Oakmont would have been hugely important as far as self-validation is concerned.

The 34-year-old’s triumph at the US Open was a big statement of intent to Bradley as well.

Spaun opened up when speaking to reporters in Scotland about the prospect of playing the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in September.

“It means a lot. I have dreamed on the Ryder Cup but I never thought I actually would be on it.
It’s just been a crazy ride this last year, where I have been working so hard and also getting the reinforcement not just from my team but other players and even Keegan and Kisner.

“Sneds told me last year, you are so f—— good. What are you doing? I said I have got nerves. He said what are you nervous for, just go out there and keep doing what you are doing.

“I had played with him a few times last year when I sort of turned it around and started playing well.
I think it was more getting the self belief that I can do it. But to be a part of these Ryder Cup dinners as prospective members, it’s just really inspiring.

“It was actually cool. Keegan put a printed out picture of the US Ryder Cup bag with my name on it. He did it to all the other guys who can potentially make the team at Oakmont. And he put bring your ego, and signed KB. He stuck it in my locker and it’s just something that every time I went to my locker I saw it there. Every day I would open the locker and see it there.

“It was one of those things that kept being pinged into my brain. It was like alright, Ryder Cup, let’s go. Bring your ego.

“I am not an egotistical person but I think that more tapped into my self belief and myself. It was cool for him to do that at the US Open. He is still wanting to beat us but he’s trying to make us play the best we can and tap into our max potential. I think that shows what a great captain he is going to be.“

What J.J. Spaun’s 2025 PGA Tour stats mean for the Ryder Cup

The American has been trending in the right direction on the PGA Tour for quite some time.

His stats in 2025 prove that he really is an extremely solid all-round golfer.

Spaun’s game is clearly in fine working order.

The only thing that might concern American fans ahead of the Ryder Cup is his ranking in the strokes gained around the greens category.

Matchplay is a format whereby things can change in an instant with a chip in or an up and down from a difficult position.

Heading into the Ryder Cup, Spaun may well want to focus on improving his short game because every other department of his game seems to be in pristine condition right now.