J.J. Spaun faced fierce winds at TPC Sawgrass on Saturday, yet he managed to keep his cool. He finished Round 3 with a solid score of 2-under 70, putting him at 12-under overall and giving him a narrow one-shot lead going into the final round of the Players Championship. Surprisingly, Spaun is leading this prestigious event, especially considering he entered the week ranked 15th in the FedExCup standings—a feat that few expected.
To understand Spaun’s journey, it helps to know more about his background. As a child, he practiced hitting golf balls into a net in his family’s garage. His creativity sometimes led him to use random items, like sockets from his dad’s toolbox. During his elementary school years, he dabbled in skateboarding but had a run-in with a car that made it clear his dad saw a future in golf, not in skating.
While Spaun had a standout high school career at San Dimas High, major colleges showed little interest. Undeterred, he walked on at San Diego State and quickly earned a scholarship. His talent shone brightly. He achieved All-American status and helped lead his college team to the NCAA Championship match play.
After college, things got challenging. Spaun’s early years on the PGA Tour included four top-3 finishes but took a turn in the summer of 2018 when he began losing weight and feeling fatigued. He was initially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, but further evaluations revealed he actually had Type 1 diabetes. This misdiagnosis hindered his management and performance on the golf course, as he was following the wrong treatment plan. Spaun described the struggle, saying, “I was doing the wrong things,” which included eating minimal calories and still facing high blood sugar levels.
The pandemic offered him a break. Although he nearly lost his PGA membership, it gave him time to regroup. Despite a tough season in 2020-21 with only one top-10 finish, he persevered and reclaimed his tour card through the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. Looking back, he stated, “Not even conditional status. I don’t know, I think going to Boise and finishing second gave me a little confidence back.”
In 2022, Spaun broke through with his first PGA Tour victory at the Valero Texas Open. He started the final round poorly, double-bogeying the first hole, but bounced back to finish strongly, marking a significant turnaround in his career. His ability to remain calm under pressure showcased his growth as a player.
Recently, he has been consistently performing well in tournaments. This year alone, he has notched two top-3 finishes and remains highly ranked in several performance statistics, including being seventh in strokes gained: approach. Spaun knows confidence is key, admitting, “If I can just dig deep and have that self-belief, then we’ll see where things end up.”
As Spaun continues his journey in golf, his story reminds us of the importance of resilience and belief, especially when facing personal challenges. With each tournament he plays, he builds not just skill but also the mental fortitude essential for success in sports.
For more details on Spaun and other players in the tour, you can visit the PGA Tour site.
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