J.J. Spaun’s a bit of a newbie. Before this week, he’d never played in an Open Championship. Before last week, at the Scottish Open, he’d never played on a links course across the pond (though he has played at American gem Bandon Dunes). And before last month, at the U.S. Open, he’d never won a major. (He had actually never finished better than a tie for 23rd across seven previous appearances.)
So he’s getting the newbie questions.
Wednesday, in his pre-tournament press conference at Royal Portrush, a reporter asked Spaun to describe himself. Or at least offer an adjective.
“Humble,” he said.
“I think humble is probably the only one I can think of now. I try to — I don’t like to self-glorify myself or pursue — or exude like an aura. I just try to treat people how I’d want to be treated and let the golf talk for itself.
“I think there’s a lot of guys that are out here that think of themselves that way, but that’s pretty much how I feel.”
In the storytelling world, proof of such a thing is most preferred, though, and Spaun’s hung onto his receipts. How’s this for humility? He never thought that U.S. Open win would happen. “A few years ago, I was just trying to get in them,” he said. He also never predicted his current top 10 ranking or his likely Ryder Cup spot, both among the windfalls of his victory. Part of the reasoning comes from inside and just who he is. And part of it is his environment. Spaun’s had to grind, starting with juniors, before moving on to college, before moving on to lower-rung tours, before moving on to the PGA Tour.
But how do you begin to believe? Part of it, again, was him. In short, he’s good.
Part of it, though, was his caddie, Mark Carens, and his coach, Adam Schriber. They spoke it into existence. They repeated three sentences.
You can make the Ryder Cup.
You can be top 10 in the world.
You can win the U.S. Open.
“I don’t think I’ve ever thought of being on the Ryder Cup or imagining myself on the Ryder Cup,” Spaun said, “but I’ve been hearing that a lot throughout the last few years, from my caddie and my coach, like they’ve been kind of putting that out there and almost in a way manifesting it, which is kind of weird.
“My caddie’s always believed in me, even when I was ranked outside the top 100. He’s like, I think you’re a top 10 player in the world. He thinks I could be No. 1, but honestly, let’s be real. He’s like, well, I at least think you’re top 10, and I was like, OK, sure.
“Here we are, top 10 in the world. He always believed I could be on the Ryder Cup, and here we are, looking pretty good for the Ryder Cup. It’s just weird how you kind of hear — you soak in those things that people tell you, and then it just sort of ends up happening. I think that has to do a lot with developing and believing it yourself.
“It was funny, like the week before the U.S. Open, I was sending my coach swings, and I was like what do you think? He’s like, I think that’s the U.S. Open champ. I’m like, no, technically, what do you see, not just in the video? So it was pretty ironic, but I think there’s truth to be told about manifesting and telling yourself positive reinforcement for future success.”
In the weeks since the U.S. Open win, things have felt surreal for Spaun. The attention. The tee times. Thursday and Friday, in his first major play since the U.S. Open, he’s grouped with Xander Schauffele, the defending champion, and Jon Rahm, a two-time major winner. “I’m getting more recognition,” Spaun said.
Questions, too.
And the newbie’s answering them.
“Yeah, it’s a big difference kind of having the spotlight on me now and expectations, but all I can do is just rely on the experiences that I’ve had, coming down the stretch at the U.S. Open, getting myself in the playoff at the Players.
“I’ve had way bigger challenges, whether it’s life or golf or losing my card. I’ve had other issues to go through than just being more in the spotlight. So I’m learning to embrace it, and I’m excited for the challenge it brings.”
