J.J. Spaun reveals how he has been learning to live as a U.S. Open champion.

PEBBLE BEACH — The victory that changed J.J. Spaun’s life at the U.S. Open, achieved eight months ago, has brought with it a wave of unexpected doubts. Instead of feeling secure and confident, the champion of the biggest golf competition in the United States is unsure of what it means to be a champion. The trophy, which now adorns his living room, serves as a constant reminder of his immense talent and achievement, but it does not provide answers on how to cope with the expectations that come with it. Despite his elevated status, Spaun still finds himself lost in an internal struggle regarding his identity as an athlete.

In his debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Spaun showed resilience by finishing with a score of two under par, even after a rocky start with a double bogey on the opening hole. The perfect day at Pebble Beach saw most of the competitors racking up birdies, but for Spaun, the pressure was palpable. He is not just any player; he is the U.S. Open champion and, as such, was called in for an interview with Sky Sports, where he shared his concerns.

“It’s difficult to understand,” revealed 35-year-old Spaun to Golf Digest. “I want to believe I can adopt a mindset of having nothing to lose, but there are many expectations, both external and internal. And that’s something that has already affected me.” The pressure of being one of the top-ranked players in every tournament is palpable, and the feeling of not meeting expectations weighs heavily on him.

His victory at the U.S. Open in Oakmont, where he sealed the win with an impressive 20-foot putt, is a memory that haunts and inspires him. “I never imagined having such an iconic moment in golf history. Hearing that people won’t forget it is something that leaves me in shock,” said the Los Angeles native. Spaun is learning to cope with his new reality, where past success does not guarantee consistent results in the present.

In 2025, Spaun had a magical season, finishing second three times and earning over 13 million dollars. However, the pressure that comes with success often leaves him in a state of confusion. “Normalcy is underrated,” he commented, reflecting on the challenges he faces after mediocre results at the start of this new season. The T-40 finish at the Sony Open and the elimination at the Farmers Insurance Open weigh on his mind, and the recent withdrawal from the WM Phoenix Open due to a virus only exacerbates this sense of uncertainty.

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Pebble Beach, which will host the U.S. Open again in 2027, represents an opportunity for Spaun to regain his rhythm. “I need to get back to playing my game and not worry so much about the results. The hardest part will be accepting whatever happens,” he admitted, now ranked as the seventh-best player in the world.

He reflects on the journey of other champions, such as Payne Stewart, who also faced difficulties after winning his first major tournament. Spaun acknowledges that he doesn’t need to become someone else to be successful. He is unique, and his ability to compete at the highest level is evident.

“It’s complicated because you feel like you need to change something to succeed, but I have never been consistently a player who contends in major tournaments. I need to maintain belief in myself, and that’s what has brought me this far,” Spaun concluded. He is the U.S. Open champion and now needs to embrace this reality, not just as a title, but as part of who he truly is.