JJ Spaun credits Tiger Woods for role in U.S. Open | Sports News

U.S. Open champ J. J. Spaun credited a story involving Tiger Woods, as shared by PGA Tour colleague Max Homa, for spurring him on to victory at Oakmont.

Facing a difficult weather-complicated ultimate on the one hundred and twenty fifth U.S. Open, Spaun skilled a dire starting but demonstrated exceptional resilience to emerge because the champion. Despite opening with a five-over via the initial six holes, threatening to exit rivalry, he valiantly fought back into the combo.

This season, after a close second to Rory McIlroy in a playoff at The Players, Spaun delivered a masterful tee shot on the seventeenth to notch a birdie and secured a one-stroke lead. His climactic efficiency continued on the 18th, the place he sank an extraordinary 65-foot putt for one other birdie, ending with a two-over 72 to clutch the coveted U.S. Open title from Robert MacIntyre.

In reflecting on his triumph, Spaun attributed his mindset and stirring comeback to a Woods-inspired lesson, courtesy of Homa during a shared meal. He utilized Woods’ counsel to persevere and sealed the deal on the U.S. Open in thrilling fashion.

“I just felt like you keep putting yourself in these positions, like eventually you’re going to tick one off,” acknowledged Spaun. “I don’t put myself in this position often, or at all, for a major, that’s for sure. This is only my second U.S. Open. But all the close calls that I’ve had on the PGA Tour this year has just been really good experience to just never, never give up.

“Actually, I used to be fascinated about – I used to be having lunch with Max Homa at home. We dwell in the identical space. We belong to the identical membership. He was telling a Tiger story the place he was like, ‘As long as you simply are nonetheless there, you do not have to do something loopy, particularly at a U.S. Open.'”.

“He’s like, ‘Tiger stated this may occur, and the wind will swap, however you have to simply keep there. Even in case you’re 4 back, you’ve got simply bought to remain there. You do not must do something loopy.'”.

While on the course, the golfer reflected on his conversation with Homa: “I type of was fascinated about that on the market this afternoon, the place I used to be 4 back, perhaps going back out after the delay, after which I made some good pars, nothing loopy. Got a actually good birdie.

“Then, next thing you know, I’m like tied for the lead, I think, and within four holes of the restart. That just kind of goes back to that, like you just try to stay there. You don’t have to do anything crazy, especially at a U.S. Open. All those things came true.”

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Spaun made historical past by sinking the longest putt on the U.S. Open to clinch the title and joyously celebrated together with his two daughters – one beneath the climate – and partner Melody on Fathers Day on the 18th inexperienced. When prompted about feeling just like the world’s most lucky man over the latest days, Spaun could not help however smile and invoke Woods one more time.

“100 percent, at least in my mind,” proclaimed the newly-minted champion of the 2025 U.S. Open. “Just to finish it off like that is just a dream.

“You watch different people do it. You see the Tiger chip, you see Nick Taylor’s putt, you see loopy moments. To have my own second like that at this championship, I’ll always remember this second for the remaining of my life.”