From Near Collapse to Championship Glory: How J.J. Spaun’s Rain Delay and Two Stunning Shots Transformed His US Open Journey

Oakmont, Pennsylvania — CNN

It’s a big moment when every swing counts, and J.J. Spaun felt the pressure. Starting the round, he struggled. He faced five bogeys in just a few holes, fumbling like a golfer without a plan. On one shot, the ball barely grazed the flagstick, bouncing back nearly 50 yards. “It was perfect, just unlucky,” he said, reflecting on that letdown.

His day didn’t start smoothly either. He rushed to the pharmacy because his daughter was sick. “It was chaotic,” he admitted. It seemed his morning was a sign of trouble. But when rain hit the scenic Oakmont course, it changed everything. The weather paused the game while Spaun regrouped. “Chill out,” his coaches advised. They told him, “Imagine getting four shots back for the back nine. Just let it happen.” That advice helped calm his nerves.

Before the rain delay, his mistakes mounted, but once back, he felt free again. “It was a grind, but it clicked for me,” he shared. His early struggles transformed into an unexpected opportunity for victory.

Spaun’s journey to this win wasn’t easy. A skateboard accident at five years old led him to golf. After excelling in college, he turned pro in 2012. Unfortunately, in 2016, he received a type-2 diabetes diagnosis but later learned it was actually type-1. This misstep could have derailed his career, but he came back stronger. “It was tough being away from my family. But I found perspective through the challenges,” he reflected.

During the tournament, he faced fierce competition. But it was his elegance under pressure that shone through. His drive on hole 17 was remarkable—295 yards straight into the green, nearly a hole-in-one. It seemed straight out of a movie. Then, on the final hole, under huge pressure, he nailed a long putt to seal his victory. The moment was surreal, as if he were playing a casual round but on the grandest stage. “I remembered a $100 bet we make during practice rounds,” he smiled, recalling how he joked with his caddie.

Spaun’s 64-foot putt felt like pure magic that day. It’s a shot he’ll cherish forever, and perhaps one of the most memorable in golf history, especially given the chaos surrounding him. As a seasoned Disneyland passholder, he joked about believing in magic. After Oakmont’s rough course challenged the world’s best, he might just view it as his own happy place.

With a gripping story like his, it’s important to remember how mental resilience plays a vital role in sports today. Experts often emphasize the connection between mental health and athletic performance. According to a study by the Journal of Sports Psychology, athletes with strong mental strategies improve their performance by nearly 20%. Spaun’s journey reminds us that challenges often lead to breakthroughs. If you can embrace the chaos, the magic can come through when it matters most.

For more insights on mental resilience in athletics, check out the report from the American Psychological Association.

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