J.J. Spaun is one of the major success stories on the PGA Tour this year and ahead of the Ryder Cup in a few weeks, he’s been giving us the insight into just why he’s started to do well.
Prior to winning the US Open this year, Spaun had only ever won one PGA Tour event, the Valero Texas Open in the 2021-22 season and was very much a player overlooked.
However, a superb last 12 months has seen him become one of the stars of the PGA Tour and with runner-up finishes at The Players, The Cognizant, and the FedEx St Jude, it has been a great season.
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Nevertheless, something must have clicked for Spaun to suddenly be one of the top players in the world.
And according to the man himself, it’s all about having the right mental approach.
J.J. Spaun reveals why he’s done so well on the PGA Tour in 2025
Spaun’s rise has been quite remarkable and for him to be on the Ryder Cup team without worry or needing a pick is very impressive.
Still, it does beg the question as to why he’s suddenly found his way at 35-years-old.
However, Spaun himself has been speaking to the PGA Tour on the subject and admitted that in reality, it’s pretty simple to explain.
“No, I think there’s some truth behind the old adage of the older you get the wiser you get,” Spaun admitted.
“What I’ve realised is not trying so hard to get my career go a certain way. I think I’m content with what I’ve done and it’s just freed me up. Also, just having a great team around me and doing the right things, I love it, it’s a good squad.”
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Why Keegan Bradley wanted J.J. Spaun on his Ryder Cup squad
Keegan Bradley had some big decisions to make for this Ryder Cup but the one with Spaun was taken out of his hands as he qualified automatically.
Spaun was second only to Scottie Scheffler.
Indeed, so impressive was his form, that Graeme McDowell suggested that Spaun’s iron play would have seen him on the team regardless.
“Obviously, J.J. as a fellow Srixon player, I’m just proud of the way he’s played. Clearly, his iron play is something pretty good, Scheffler level. Not many guys hitting their irons like Scheffler.
“His display at Portrush, I got to watch more golf at the weekend of The Open being on the mic and just watching the guy play golf, it’s an absolute exhibition,” McDowell told Smylie Kaufman recently.
With so many new faces on Team USA, Spaun will be hoping to be the man who emerges from nothing to be the star of the show at Bethpage.
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