John Michael “J.J.” Spaun Jr. is an American professional golfer born on August 21, 1990, in Los Angeles, California. He has a mixed heritage with his mother having Filipino and Mexican roots, and his father from Europe. J.J. started playing golf as a young child and played college golf at San Diego State University.
He turned professional in 2012 and worked his way up through smaller tours before reaching the PGA Tour. In 2025, he won the U.S. Open, which is one of golf’s biggest and most important tournaments. Despite living with type 1 diabetes, he continues to compete at the highest level in golf. J.J. Spaun is married and has two daughters.
| Full Name | John Michael “J.J.” Spaun Jr. |
| Date of Birth | August 21, 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Heritage | Filipino, Mexican (mother’s side), European (father’s side) |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) |
| Education | San Diego State University |
| Turned Professional | 2012 |
| Early Tours | Gateway Tour, PGA Tour Canada, Korn Ferry Tour |
| Current Tour | PGA Tour |
| Major Wins | 2025 U.S. Open |
| Total Professional Wins | 5 (including 1 major) |
| Career Highlights | 1st PGA Tour win: 2022 Valero Texas Open; Runner-up 2025 Players Championship; 2025 U.S. Open champion |
| Playing Style | Resilient golfer overcoming health challenges |
| Health Condition | Type 1 Diabetes (diagnosed in 2021) |
| Family | Married to Melody Means (married 2019); two daughters (born 2020 and 2023) |
| Net Worth | Estimated several million dollars (exact current figure not publicly specified) |
JJ Spaun Career
Early Life and College
JJ Spaun started playing golf when he was young. He got better over the years and played college golf at San Diego State University. There, he became one of the top players on his team and won several college tournaments. He showed a lot of promise and decided to turn professional in 2012.
Early Pro Career
JJ didn’t start on the PGA Tour right away. Like many golfers, he had to work his way up. He began on smaller tours, like the PGA Tour Canada. In 2015, he had a great season in Canada and finished as the top player that year. This helped him move up to the Korn Ferry Tour (which is like the minor leagues for golf).
In 2016, he won a tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour and finished high enough in the rankings to earn his PGA Tour card — this meant he could now play on the biggest golf tour in the world.
PGA Tour Success
JJ Spaun started playing on the PGA Tour in 2017. For a few years, he had ups and downs. He sometimes played well but struggled with injuries and form. Despite the challenges, he kept working hard.
In 2022, something big happened. JJ won his first PGA Tour event — the Valero Texas Open. It was a special moment for him. Not only did he win, but the victory also earned him a spot in the Masters Tournament, one of the most famous golf events in the world. It was a dream come true for him.
Playing Style and Personality
JJ Spaun is known for being calm and focused on the course. He doesn’t hit the ball the farthest, but he plays smart and has a good short game. He’s also respected for not giving up, even when things get tough.
Fun Fact
Before he won the Valero Texas Open, JJ had played in over 140 PGA Tour events without a win. His victory showed that patience and hard work can really pay off.
Interesting Facts about JJ Spaun
- J.J. Spaun’s mom was actually playing golf while she was pregnant with him. So, he started very young, even before birth, hearing golf ball sounds in the womb.
- He took a long and sometimes slow path to success, playing 147 PGA Tour events before his first win in 2022, proving persistence is key.
- Spaun was misdiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes initially but later found out he actually has Type 1 diabetes. Despite this, he continues to compete at the highest level and supports diabetes research.
- He is a big fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team and also holds a season pass to Disneyland, showing he enjoys fun outside of golf.
- Spaun has a passion for BMW cars and has owned several in his life.
- His memorable win at the 2025 U.S. Open included a spectacular 65-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole, which is seen as one of the most dramatic moments in recent golf history.
- Despite often flying under the radar, he is regarded as a hardworking, relatable “overnight success” who actually took over a decade to get to the top.
- He once lost a playoff to Rory McIlroy at the 2025 Players Championship where the playoff was delayed until Monday morning due to darkness, making it a tough mental challenge.