J.J. Spaun came close to securing his second win of the 2025 season at the St Jude Championship on Sunday, but fell just short in a playoff against Justin Rose.
He shot a five-under-par 65 at TPC Southwind, finishing the tournament tied with Justin Rose at -16.
After both players parred the first playoff hole and birdied the second, Rose finally secured victory with another birdie on the third.
Spaun spoke to reporters about his disappointing finish after play wrapped up in Memphis.
J.J. Spaun’s immediate reaction to St Jude Championship defeat
Spaun’s playoff loss was particularly painful given his easier putt on the third extra hole, compared to Rose, who putted first.
“Yeah, it sucks to miss a seven-footer, but tricky read and pulled it a little bit. But yeah, I hung in there the best I could, and he beat me to the hole first. Just wasn’t meant to be.”
The 34-year-old golfer attributed his missed putt to both misreading the green and pulling the shot.
“Yeah, we were kind of guessing. We couldn’t tell if it was going to break right or not. We played it left center.
“Just a lack of commitment and tugged it, and I tried to firm it just because the next putt was good. I think the firming it closed the face down, and I just pulled it a little bit.”
Why Spaun has stepped up this season
While Spaun had previously won on the PGA Tour at the 2023 Valero Texas Open, his performance this season has shown a remarkable difference.
He is one of the 2025 major champions thanks to his US Open win in June. This achievement placed him among the world’s top ten golfers.
“Yeah, it’s obviously made a huge difference. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, honestly. I think I’m just content with what I’ve done in this game, and now it’s just kind of free rolling. Just trying to win, and I think that’s a freeing mentality to have.”
Spaun believes that his improved green-reading and speed control with his putter have been two factors in his improvement this year.
“I’m not sure. I’m seeing the lines much better. The speed with my putter is a lot better, so I’m not worried about mis-hitting it with the technology in the putter that I use.
“It always carries good speed, and speed is king when it comes to making longer putts, and it’s obviously helped this year.”
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