Scottie Scheffler Reveals JJ Spaun's Biggest Test at Travelers Championship
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler knows all too well what it's like to return to work after winning a major championship. Having done so three times during his career, it's only natural that he has some advice for a first-time major winner like JJ Spaun.
According to Scheffler, there's one thing Spaun should prepare for in particular: the attention he'll receive from now on.
"I think after winning a major championship, like the first time you come back out to the course is a bit of a circus sometimes just with all the people," Scheffler said.
"JJ just achieved kind of a lifetime goal and dream of his. It's definitely different coming to the golf course for sure."
"There's a lot more people, a lot more stuff to sign, a lot of stuff that goes on."
Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays his shot from the 17th tee during the final round of the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 15, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.
Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays his shot from the 17th tee during the final round of the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 15, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.Scheffler also emphasized the learning curve that comes with winning a tournament like the U.S. Open the way Spaun did.
"Having that experience under your belt of winning the tournament, that's the most pressure he's felt in his entire career, and he stepped up and made amazing shots down the stretch, birdieing 17 and 18."
"Having that confidence and experience going forward is going to serve him really well, not only knowing he can perform under the biggest pressure, but now he knows exactly what it feels like."
J.J. Spaun is in the Travelers Championship field, just one week after winning the U.S. Open. Scheffler knows this feeling all too well. In fact, the world's top-ranked golfer has done the same thing two out of three times he has won a major championship.
A warm welcome for @JJSpaun in Connecticut ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xD3v1or7CM — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 18, 2025
Not only that, but the Ridgewood, New Jersey native has also earned a win and a fourth-place finish the week after winning a major championship. He won the 2024 RBC Heritage a week after winning the Masters Tournament, and tied fourth in the 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge a week after winning the PGA Championship.
Spaun has played at TPC River Highlands six times, when the Travelers Championship wasn't yet a Signature Event. He missed the cut three times, and his best finish was tied for 30th in 2019.
However, the circumstances are completely different now. Following an opening round 3-over 73, Spaun is near the bottom of the field. If he wants to make any noise, he'll need to go low Friday.
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