While celebrating the biggest moment of his golf career, J.J. Spaun had his late friend and former college roommate on his mind.
Spaun, 34, won his first major championship at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on Sunday, June 15, which came three months after the death of Spaun’s friend Andy Wood.
“RIP Andy,” Spaun wrote via his Instagram Story on Tuesday, June 17. “I know you were up there on Sunday helping me buddy! ❤️.”
After his final round on Sunday, Spaun explained how he planned on honoring Wood during his celebration.
“I’m gonna have a beer for him tonight,” Spaun said, according to Skratch Golf.
Wood, who was Spaun’s roommate at San Diego State University, was found dead of a heart defect in his bed on March 17, the day of the final round of the The Players Championship.
Hours later, Spaun pushed Rory McIlroy all the way to a playoff. Though McIlroy, 36, eventually won the playoff, Spaun reflected on the emotional day after losing his friend.
“Unforgettable week at @theplayers and so appreciative of all the kind messages and support throughout the week!” Spaun shared via Instagram after the final round.
J.J. spoke exclusively to Us Weekly on Tuesday, June 17, in the chaotic, exhilarating aftermath of winning the U.S. Open on Sunday, which he was able to share with his wife, Melody Spaun, and their two daughters: Emerson, 4, and Violet, 23 months.
“You go from this huge, euphoric moment to now you gotta count your scorecard, and you’re whisked off to the putting green and now you have to make this huge speech on national television and you’re trying to thank everyone you want to thank,” J.J. said. “You’re trying to speak off the cuff. It’s wild. Especially for me, I’m not always in these situations. Let alone a major championship. It was wild for all of us.”
J.J. and Melody started dating in 2013 before tying the knot in July 2019. In the early days of their relationship, J.J. joked that Melody “knew nothing about golf.”
“She didn’t know what she was getting into,” J.J. said with a laugh. “It would be one thing if she was a golfer, a competitive one at least, to know the career that I was about to embark on. She would have kind of had an idea about what to expect.”
J.J. added, “My hat’s off to her for being such a huge support and understanding all these steps of my journey, learning as she goes. And then also raising two children where at times I’m gone for a month, you know? Basically single parenting.”
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