“It was part of my golf bag now,” J.J. Spaun said, his voice filled with a mix of emotions, as he referred to the Libre blood sugar monitor he wore on his arm to keep track of his diabetes. But managing his Type 1 diabetes hadn’t always been easy for the 34-year-old golfer. The journey had been a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of triumph and despair.

After being diagnosed in 2018, Spaun’s world was turned upside down. He lost over 50 pounds in three years, and his blood sugar levels often affected his game, causing blurry vision, fatigue, and lightheadedness. The emotional toll of living with a chronic illness was overwhelming, as one would guess, and Spaun struggled to come to terms with his new reality.

However, the journey to get there was not without its setbacks. Spaun was initially misdiagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic, and he struggled to manage his condition. “I was doing the wrong things,” he admitted per PGA Tour, his voice laced with frustration. “The regimen for Type 2 is a little different than for a Type 1; I wasn’t even getting the right medicine to regulate my blood sugar… I was eating nothing, probably less than 1,500 calories a day, and still having high-glucose side effects as a ‘Type 2,’ so that’s why I needed the insulin to help level that out and be able to eat more calories in general.”

The pain and struggle in Spaun’s voice were palpable, and it was clear that the experience had left an indelible mark on him. But despite the challenges, Spaun emerged stronger and more determined than ever. He became an advocate for diabetes awareness and research, using his platform to raise awareness and inspire others living with the condition.

By speaking out and sharing his story, Spaun hoped to make a difference and help others navigate the complex and often overwhelming world of diabetes. As he said, “There were so many more things in the world going on that didn’t even matter other than golf.” Well, this health setback affected Spaun, who lived and thrived on golf, in ways he could have never predicted.

J.J. Spaun says losing his PGA Tour card was the ” best thing” for him

Sometimes, something bad can lead to something good, and for J.J. Spaun, losing his PGA Tour card was the wake-up call he needed. After a promising start to his career, Spaun’s world was turned upside down when he was misdiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2018. Despite his best efforts, he struggled to manage his condition, and his game suffered as a result. He plummeted to 584th in the World Ranking and eventually lost his PGA Tour card. But Spaun refused to give up.

Losing his card was a blessing in disguise for Spaun. He regained his confidence and his card by finishing second at the Albertsons Boise Open, and eight months later, he won the Valero Texas Open, securing PGA Tour membership through 2023-24. Spaun credited the setback as a turning point in his career.

“I think maybe that was the best thing for me,” he said. “I was able to play good and get my card back, and I’ve just been playing good ever since then.” Spaun’s determination is solid proof that sometimes it takes a setback to spark a comeback. What do you think about the golfer’s journey? Let us know in the comment section!