“Look how high it is. It’s floating,” J.J. Spaun said as he rewatched his costly tee shot on the Island Green of the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. He had requested to see the video again, recounting every detail of the shot that got away from him. The 8-iron had seemed like the right club, but in hindsight, maybe it was the wrong choice. Spaun was left stunned, unable to believe that his shot had sailed long, splashing into the water at the north edge of the green.

That fateful shot cost Spaun the chance at the greatest triumph of his 13-year professional golf career. On the other hand, Rory McIlroy celebrated a St. Patrick’s Day victory at the Players Championship. Additionally, he took home the $4.5 million winner’s check, 750 FedEx Cup points, and a three-year exemption for golf’s major tournaments. “It just wasn’t my luck of the gust, I guess,” Spaun said, reflecting on the tough loss.

The Fore Play Podcast Plus hosts on YouTube were buzzing about the thrilling finish and couldn’t help but roast Spaun’s performance. “What a finish. A little bit of a wasted time thanks to J.J. Spaun. We’ll get into that,” one of the hosts joked.

As they celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, the hosts added, “J.J. just fell a bit short, just a bit short, couple putts just falling just a bit short.” Teasing him they said, “Maybe too tall of a task for J.J. Spaun, but it was always going to be a tall task to beat Rory McIlroy. You have to sleep on it, you got to think about those three holes you’re playing against one of the best players of all time, especially if you’re of his generation.”

Despite the jokes, the hosts also acknowledged that he had a tough act to follow. “And yeah, you know, just a little bit of a too big of a moment for J.J. Spaun. But it is what it is and uh, it was fun,” they concluded. As the dust settles on Spaun’s brutal loss, it’s clear that he’s taking it in stride. In fact, his recent comments reveal a surprisingly refreshing perspective on golf.

J.J. Spaun’s refreshing perspective on golf even after his brutal loss

J.J. Spaun’s impressive performance in the 2025 season has been making waves in the golf world. With two runner-ups and one third-place finish in his nine appearances, Spaun was asked during a press conference what’s behind his success. His candid response revealed his new perspective on golf, one that’s been shaped by his growing family.

As a father of two young girls, Spaun shared that golf is no longer the only thing that defines him. “Golf isn’t everything anymore, and it’s easy to kind of just let golf be golf. It’s not the end of the world if I play bad. It’s not the end of the world if I play great. It’s just golf,” he said.

Spaun’s words sparked mixed reactions from fans and honestly it’s easy to see why. Coming off a tough loss to Rory McIlroy, his comments are being scrutinized from every angle. Moreover, Spaun and his caddie, Mark Carens added fuel to the fiery reactions with a questionable playoff decision . But despite all the drama, Spaun reminds us that there’s more to life than just the game with his refreshing perspective on golf.

He has his priorities straight—putting family first and adopting a more balanced approach to his career. It’s a pretty inspiring message and one that proves you can achieve success without sacrificing your personal life. What do you think of Spaun’s approach to golf and family? Let us know in the comment section below!