Honestly, if you had asked J.J. Spaun a few years ago if he’d be holding the trophy at the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont, he probably would’ve laughed. Or maybe he would have just looked at you with that tired, glazed-over expression that comes from your body literally eating itself.
Golf is a brutal game, but Spaun’s journey isn’t just about missed cuts or bad bounces. It’s about a guy who was basically dying on the fairways while everyone thought he just had a "slumping" career.
He won.
In June 2025, Spaun did the unthinkable. He didn't just win a major; he survived Oakmont—a course that eats elite golfers for breakfast. He finished at 1-under par, the only player in red figures. To put that in perspective, he closed the door with a 64-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. It was a "fist pump heard 'round the world" moment.
The Misdiagnosis That Nearly Ended Everything
Before we get into the "Man of Steel" performance at the U.S. Open, we have to talk about why J.J. Spaun almost quit the game entirely in 2021. For two years, he was a shell of himself. He lost 20 pounds in a single month. He was lethargic, his vision was blurry, and he was constantly thirsty.
Doctors told him he had Type 2 diabetes.
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So, he did what you're supposed to do. He cut calories. He exercised more. He followed the regimen. And he got worse. He was eating fewer than 1,500 calories a day—not exactly the fuel needed to swing a club 120 mph—and his blood sugar was still skyrocketing. He was essentially starving while his body failed to process what little energy he gave it.
It turns out he actually had Type 1 diabetes (specifically LADA, or Type 1.5). He wasn't producing insulin. Once he got the right diagnosis and the right medicine, his life changed. He went from being a "reshuffle" category journeyman to a PGA Tour winner at the 2022 Valero Texas Open.
Why J.J. Spaun is a Statistical Anomaly
Most golfers have a "signature" look. Spaun’s swing is a bit of a throwback. It’s neat. It’s compact. He sets his left hip a fraction higher than his right at address, a tiny detail that most amateurs miss but one that keeps his club on a perfect plane.
But look at his equipment. This is where it gets weird.
Spaun became the first player to win a major using a "zero torque" putter—the L.A.B. Golf DF3. It looks like a branding iron or a sci-fi prop. Most pros are traditionalists, but Spaun doesn't care about "cool." He cares about the face not twisting. He even uses a standard Scotty Cameron grip on a putter designed for a totally different grip style. He’s a tinkerer.
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His irons? They aren't standard either.
- 4-iron: Srixon ZXi5 (for that extra "pop" and forgiveness).
- 5-PW: Srixon ZXi7 (for precision).
- The Twist: His long irons are actually shorter than standard, while his short irons are regular length.
He’s optimized every single loft and lie to fit his specific height (5'9") and swing path. He isn't playing "off the rack" logic. He’s playing J.J. Spaun logic.
That Wild Sunday at Oakmont
The 2025 U.S. Open was a mess. Weather delays, brutal rough, and greens that felt like putting on a marble kitchen floor. Spaun started his final round like a disaster. He was 5-over through eight holes. Five bogeys.
Most guys would have folded.
Then came a 96-minute rain delay. While other players were overthinking their lead, Spaun reset. He came back out and played the final nine holes in 3-under par. He was "hammering the nail," as analyst Martin Hall likes to say. When he stood over that 64-foot putt on the 18th, he wasn't just playing for a trophy. He was playing for every adult who’s been told their health issues are "just part of getting older" or a "lifestyle choice."
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He drained it.
What You Can Learn From "Spicy J"
You don't have to be a PGA Tour pro to take something away from J.J. Spaun's career.
First, listen to your body. If you're feeling "off" and the first diagnosis doesn't fit, keep digging. Spaun would have been out of the game by 2022 if he hadn't sought a second opinion from an endocrinologist.
Second, don't be afraid of "ugly" equipment if it works. That L.A.B. putter is polarizing, but it helped him gain over 10 strokes on the field at Oakmont. If it puts the ball in the hole, who cares what it looks like?
Finally, remember the "left side high" rule at address. If you struggle with a slice or a choppy swing, check your hip alignment. Setting that lead hip slightly higher than the trail hip—just like J.J.—can help you rotate instead of sliding.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Your Alignment: Next time you're at the range, use a mirror to ensure your lead hip is slightly higher than your trail hip at address.
- Get Screened: If you're experiencing unexplained fatigue or weight loss, don't assume it's "just stress." Ask for a full metabolic panel, including T1D autoantibody testing.
- Try Zero Torque: Head to a local golf shop and try a Lie Angle Balanced putter. It feels weird at first, but for players who struggle with "the yips," it can be a total game-changer.