Now, he's back — this time with a U.S. Open trophy in tow and running on fumes once again.
“Violet’s birthday is Thursday,” Spaun said, reflecting briefly before catching himself. His eyes widened. “Tomorrow. I don’t even know what day it is.”
Understandable. Since his dramatic win at Oakmont, Spaun has been swept up in a whirlwind of celebration and obligations — and he wouldn’t trade it for anything.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, whose script logo is etched on his yardage book, are trying to schedule him for a ceremonial first pitch. Mookie Betts, who once played the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am alongside him, sent his congratulations. So did major champions Curtis Strange and Hale Irwin.
There’s been little rest. Spaun got three hours of sleep Sunday night before jetting off to New York for a media blitz on Tuesday. He was then driven to Connecticut, finally logging a full eight hours of sleep — about as much as he got over the previous two nights combined.
“It’s been pretty hectic, but also very fun,” Spaun said Wednesday. “A lot of people want to hear from me. I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to share how it felt — the emotions, everything. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Now, it’s back to work. The Travelers Championship, the final $20 million signature event of the PGA Tour season, offers a less punishing follow-up to the U.S. Open grind. Oakmont’s 5 1/2-inch rain-soaked rough is behind them; the TPC River Highlands still has teeth, but scoring opportunities abound.
Jordan Spieth welcomed the change.
“It’s more just getting back into the swing of things,” he said. “You’ve got a 7-iron in your hand, and you don’t have to be quite as careful. It’s no gimme of a golf course, especially with wind. But yeah, it’s kind of nice. Playing something like Oakmont every week would be brutal.”
The TPC’s back nine is famous for its risk-reward setup. Birdie runs — or blowups — are always in play. That suits Spaun, who’s still riding high from a heroic finish at Oakmont: a 65-foot birdie bomb following a daring drive onto the 17th green, capping a two-shot victory after clawing his way out of a five-way tie.
“I definitely need to keep the hunger there,” Spaun said. “I want to keep proving myself — not to anyone else, but to me. My biggest challenge has always been not being too hard on myself and not tearing down the confidence I’ve worked to build.”
He added: “Winning the U.S. Open is a huge boost to that inner ego, that self-belief. As long as I protect that, I think I’ll keep playing well.”
History shows post-major momentum can swing either way. Scottie Scheffler won the Masters and then followed it up with a victory at Harbour Town. Rory McIlroy once turned a British Open win into a three-week heater with back-to-back victories at Firestone and the PGA Championship. But others have struggled to find their footing again.
“I remember walking into a restaurant and realizing people knew who I was,” said Keegan Bradley, recalling life after his 2011 PGA Championship win. “I had never felt that. I told J.J. I hope he really enjoys this.”
Spaun plans to. He just needs to remember what day it is.
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