JJ Spaun’s rise from minor tour unknown to 2025 US Open champion was a remarkable transformation. Born on August 21, 1990, in Los Angeles, Spaun had an impressive collegiate career at San Diego State University and became a champion in 2012, competing on the small West Coast tour. He survived on a shoestring budget, often scraping by while chasing his PGA Tour dream.
He earned Web.com status for the 2016 season, which he put on the PGA Tour card the following year. Even with the occasional good cycle on Tour, his inconsistency fueled a long slump that tested frustration. After fearing a tough life in 2023, Spaun enlisted the help of Adam Schriber, a Michigan-based coach at LochenHeath Golf Club. Schriber’s all-encompassing approach rebuilt Spaun from the ground up. They focus on core stability, functional rotation and mental toughness, allowing him to reduce weight while simultaneously improving strength.
“Adam rebuilt my pen and my mind,” Spaun said.
Early in the week of the 2025 US Open, Spaun added short-game coach Josh Gregory to the team, and it paid off immediately on the first hole. At Oakmont, his finesse and can-do attitude kept him in the hunt after a shaky start, culminating with a 64-foot birdie putt on the final hole, winning by two strokes.
“This is ours,” Spaun told Schriber, cup in hand.
Known for his calm demeanor under pressure and extremely hard-hitting ball, Spaun built his game around discipline rather than swagger. Friends describe him as an incessantly curious person, always looking for incremental gains. His journey shows perseverance, humility and faith – proof that perseverance, persistence and dedication can overcome early setbacks.
See below for a breakdown of six positions from Spaun’s swing that every golfer should copy.
Mark Newcombe / Visionsingolf.com
1. Set up
Many short golfers bend too much, which causes them to stand too far from the ball and limit their pivot. The JJ takes just enough forward tilt to allow for a comfortable arm swing and easy wind and wind down.
2. The Takeaway
Spaun rotates his body away from the ball without undue right leg direction, allowing a slight right arm bend while keeping his arms forward and limiting clubface rotation.
3. Up
JJ’s arms form a clean, symmetrical triangle at the top with a perfect left wrist and clubface position. You can’t get to this place by “holding the tray” right arm. Additionally, he has turned enough to reach this hand position without tipping over.
4. Descending
Spaun avoids closing the clubface too much by not overusing the internet’s famous left wrist bend. His wrist remains neutral as the club is lowered and pulled into a good position to release it without fear of a quick hook.
5. Impact
The expert impact position in the high plane requires body twists that many beginners have never seen but can learn: hips forward, tucked and open, lower body turned, but upper leg tilted to the right and slightly open. Do these things, and that famous position of arms and hands is possible. Like Spawn.
6. Release
Note the bent right arm and open clubface on No. 4 and a fully released toe of the clubhead and a straight right arm here. All while keeping the right arm under the left. This brilliantly ends his fade from being a weak wipe and an all but impossible drag.
