'I lost over £1million to Rory McIlroy - but it's helped me contend at US Open'

Daily Mirror

13-06-2025

J.J. Spaun carded a four-under opening round to lead the US Open at Oakmont, and the 34-year-old believes his recent play-off loss to Rory McIlroy has helped him in the long run
J. J. Spaun delivered a stunning four-under opening round to take the lead at the US Open at Oakmont. The 34-year-old credits his costly £1million loss to Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship for his opening success.
Spaun's first-round performance in Pennsylvania was remarkable. At the 2016 US Open, the last time the major was held at Oakmont, the only bogey-free round was carded by winner Dustin Johnson, who suggested the course has become even more challenging. Like Johnson, Spaun posted a bogey-less round on Thursday.
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However, the American attributes his excellent form this season to an unlikely source: his heartbreaking loss to McIlroy in The Players Championship, where he was defeated by the five-time major champion in a playoff.
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During The Players, McIlroy overcame a four-shot deficit on the final day to seize the lead before Spaun equalled him following a severe weather delay. The next day, the Northern Irishman triumphed in their three-hole play-off, and cost Spaun over £1m in potential prize money.
Spaun was undoubtedly disappointed with how his week at TPC Sawgrass ended, but the now-seasoned player has turned his emotions into a positive force, reports the Mirror US.
With just one PGA Tour win under his belt, he finds himself leading after 18 holes in the 125th US Open at the formidable Oakmont, and thanks his past failures for it.
"I don't know why this is happening already or happening at this point in my career, but I guess being kind of put in that spot at The Players, I was leading going into the final round of the Sony Open, I finished second at Cognizant, like I've been consistently right there," Spaun told reporters after his first round.
"And everyone knows that the more you put yourself there, the better you're going to have results and the better you're going to play, eventually turn one of those close calls into a win.
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"The Players was sort of a springboard into self-belief because it wasn't like I faked it. Yeah, you can maybe fake it at the Sony and Cognizant or whatever.
"But to do that at The Players, a course where I'd never done well historically, and to go head-to-head with Rory on Sunday, and then the playoff was great for my confidence.
"Sadly, I didn't win, but it was brilliant for me to lean back on that experience and know that I can perform on the biggest of stages and handle it under pressure. There's going to be a lot of pressure this week, too, and hopefully I can rely on those experiences."
However, Xander Schauffele, a two-time major champion, offered a notable caution to Spaun following the American's impressive opening round.
Schauffele, who began with a two-over score in Pennsylvania, pointed out that Oakmont could still pose challenges for the 34-year-old, and remarked: "It's Thursday. I just told J.J., incredible round, nice playing. Good luck the rest of the way."
Filled with inspiration, Spaun is scheduled to start his second round of the US Open on Friday, with competitors like Thriston Lawrence, Kim Si Woo and Brooks Koepka closely trailing. In contrast, McIlroy, despite a solid start, ended the day at four-over, putting him in a tie for 62nd.