Latest news with #Wanamaker
NBC Sports
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
The captain told him to enjoy this, so that's exactly what J.J. Spaun plans to do
After a whirlwind U.S. Open victory, things finally settled down for J.J. Spaun around 2 a.m. Monday. He didn't leave the gates of Oakmont Country Club until about an hour past midnight, and upon arriving back at his hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, he took a quick shower and then settled into bed to start flipping through the hundreds of messages that had queued in his phone. Comedian George Lopez, Dodgers star Mookie Betts, sportscaster Scott Van Pelt; all had words of congratulations for the newly minted major champion. But the most impactful message came Tuesday from Keegan Bradley. Bradley remembers his major-championship breakthrough well. He was just a 25-year-old rookie when he captured the 2011 PGA Championship in a playoff. He recalls returning home and going out to a local restaurant, and 'I could feel that people knew who I was. I had never felt that.' And it made him so uncomfortable that he put his Wanamaker trophy in his closet, out of sight. And so, as Spaun was whisked around New York City for a daylong media tour, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain offered this piece of advice: Enjoy it. 'There's always another tournament,' Bradley said Wednesday ahead of the Travelers Championship. 'He's going to tee it up here. He bogeys the first hole, he's going to be bummed out. It's the way golf is. You win the Stanley Cup, you get to enjoy it for months on end. … For me, everything happened fast. I had been on the Tour for only a year. I didn't know what any of these media tours were. I'm sure J.J. is going through that. My advice to him was to try to sit back and enjoy it and soak it all in.' Spaun's media obligations, which included an appearance on NBC's 'Today,' lasted until mid-afternoon. He then hopped in a car up to Cromwell, Connecticut, getting in around 8 p.m. Spaun's eight hours of sleep Tuesday night, were as much as he got the previous two nights combined. 'I'm not like fully in the clouds still, but we're getting a little below the ceiling,' Spaun said during his Wednesday presser, which immediately followed Bradley. 'Yeah, it's been a whirlwind. Everything that the aftermath of this whole championship has been so crazy but so much fun, and all these doors opening, it's stuff that you don't expect ever really to happen in your career. … I'm super grateful to have won the championship and to be given this experience. It's something I'll never forget obviously for the rest of my life. I guess I'm a part of history now.' The champ has made it to New York 🙌 Sure, there will come a day soon when Spaun will be able to sit on his couch, veg out and watch Sportscenter – his preferred way to relax. But for now, he's set to compete in the Travelers Championship, the year's final signature event. Spaun has a special connection to the Travelers. In 2020, he won the Umbrella at 15½ Challenge, a closest-to-the-pin contest using the red, umbrella-shaped green that floats about 85 yards from land between the 15th and 16th holes. Spaun's victory earned him $10,000 for the charity of his choice, which he donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Two years earlier, Spaun had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes; he wouldn't find out until the following spring that he was misdiagnosed and was actually late-onset Type 1. Andy Bessette, EVP and chief administrative officer of Travelers, broke down in tears when Spaun decided to donate to JDRF. Bessette, whose son, Chris, has Type 1 diabetes, is a longtime supporter of JDRF, and as Spaun navigated his diabetes journey, Bessette was an invaluable resource. 'Hopefully, I can win the challenge again and donate some more money to JDRF,' Spaun said. Toward the end of his presser, Spaun struggled to recall verbatim a Confucius quote that has served as inspiration. As he continued answering other questions, the PGA Tour media official conducting the press conference looked it up: Our greatest glory is not in never falling but rising every time we fall. 'That's the one,' Spaun said. 'That's kind of, I feel like, my career.' Spaun originally wanted to be a professional skateboarder. He walked on at San Diego State, where he became an All-American. He then earned just $850 his second season on the Canadian Tour and lost his card, only to win the tour's order of merit the following season. He graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour the following season. Four years later, he finished No. 185 in FedExCup points, though he maintained his PGA Tour status after the pandemic froze eligibility for an additional season. The following year he had to go to KFT Finals just to keep his card. Two years later, after figuring out his diabetes issues, Spaun won the Valero Texas Open for his first PGA Tour title, but just last year, amid another slump, he debated retirement before eventually cracking the top 100 in points. The rest, as they say, is history. Spaun nearly won at Sony (T-3), and at Cognizant (T-2), and at The Players, where he fell in a playoff to Rory McIlroy. Now, he's a major champion, ranked a career-best eighth in the world rankings – and a surefire bet to make his first Ryder Cup team. Spaun's U.S. Open win launched him to third in U.S. Ryder Cup points, much to the delight of Bradley. 'I think going to a course like Bethpage Black, the people are really going to be behind a guy like J.J. Spaun,' Bradley said. 'His story is incredible. He's a hard-working guy that's just building and building and building his whole career. To win the U.S. Open at Oakmont, in my eyes, is the pinnacle of major golf. It's as tough as you can get. I think he's a guy that people at Bethpage will really resonate with and a guy that on our team is the heartbeat. He's now the U.S. Open champion. That's a heavy burden to bear, but that's also a great thing to have on your team.' It's impossible to know yet just how Spaun will respond to winning the U.S. Open. He'll be running on adrenaline this week, at least. But soon, he'll be hit by his new reality. McIlroy is still struggling to find motivation after completing the career grand slam at the Masters in April. Spaun's got a long way to go before he accomplishes something that monumental – if he ever does – but relatively, his inner-drive will be challenged, too. 'I definitely need to keep the hunger there,' Spaun said. 'I think I will have the hunger just because I want to continue to prove myself, but not prove myself to anybody other than myself, I feel like, and that's kind of been my biggest barrier throughout my entire career is just trying not to be so hard on myself and not ruining any sort of confidence that I've built from all these experiences on my journey as a golfer. As long as I keep that up, I think I'll continue to play well, and obviously winning the U.S. Open is going to be a huge boost to that sort of inner ego, I guess you could say, to keep that self-belief alive and burning.' Spaun then mentioned Bradley's advice, on how easy it is to let all this fly out the window, to be quickly forgotten. And he certainly doesn't want to lose this feeling. 'Yeah, I need to enjoy this,' Spaun said. '… I'm planning to enjoy it next week, that's for sure, at least for next week.'
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Scottie Scheffler Makes Major Career Decision Before U.S. Open
Scottie Scheffler Makes Major Career Decision Before U.S. Open originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Scottie Scheffler is taking a week off before the U.S. Open, which begins June 12. The star lifted his third trophy in 30 days, including the Wanamaker at the PGA Championship and will want to maintain this winning momentum to add another major cup to his cabinet. Advertisement Scheffler opted to skip the RBC Canadian Open this week with the U.S. Open fast approaching. This is not stopping the golfer from making plans for future tournaments. The World No. 1 has also decided to join the field of golfers for next month's Genesis Scottish Open. The tournament's official account posted on X on Friday: "The best player in the world returns to the Renaissance Club! Scottie Scheffler joins an already star-studded field at this year's #GenesisScottishOpen!⛳️" Scheffler will be joining a list that includes additional big names like Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas. Scottie Scheffler is riding a hot streak heading into the U.S. Open.© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images It has been a good few weeks to be Scheffler. In addition to his recent hot streak on the course, Scheffler was officially selected to Team USA for the Ryder Cup on Wednesday. Advertisement At the U.S. Open, Scheffler will face Bryson DeChambeau, who came very close to winning the PGA Championship before trailing off during the final round. DeChambeau is the defending champion and has expressed his eagerness to win it back‑to‑back trophies. "I'm always chasing history," DeChambeau told reporters on Wednesday. "Everybody is. We're all trying to accomplish feats that haven't been done in a long time. "And going back to back would be great. Three in a row would be an even better accomplishment. So it is in the back of my head." On Friday, DeChambeau will tee off at the LIV Golf Virginia, hoping to secure one last win before the major. Advertisement Related: PGA Tour Golfers Suddenly Withdraw During the RBC Canadian Open This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Monday Leaderboard: Ben Griffin wins golf's finest prize, a trophy you can drive
Welcome to the Monday Leaderboard, where we run down the weekend's top stories in the wonderful world of golf. Grab an Arnold Palmer, pull up a chair and get ready to get jealous … With all due respect to the green jacket, the claret jug, the Wanamaker and golf's other magnificent trophies, there's nothing quite like the award bestowed on the winner of the Charles Schwab Classic: a restored antique car. And unlike the green jacket, you get to take it off the property forever. The winner of @CSChallengeFW gets a new car!One of the coolest traditions in golf.2022: 1979 Firebird2023: 1973 Bronco2024: 1975 Stingray2025: 1992 Defender — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 25, 2025 Ben Griffin won the Schwab on Sunday, the latest step in a remarkable career resurgence, and claimed as his own a 1992 Defender. (Yes, 1992 counts as an antique.) Griffin, who had walked away from the game a few years ago, is coming off his first-ever made cut at a major — where all he did was finish T8 at Quail Hollow — and now has claimed his second title of the season. Griffin won by a stroke over Matti Schmid, finishing at -12 and holding on to win despite playing his final 16 holes in an ugly +4. He came to the 18th with a two-stroke lead, but when Schmid chipped in for birdie Griffin needed to hole a nervy short putt to win outright. We've seen pros miss from closer: First solo TOUR win! 🏆 North Carolina native @BenGriffinGolf claims his first stroke-play victory @CSChallengeFW. — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 25, 2025 In addition to needing to get up and down on 18 to win, names like Scottie Scheffler were in the field. But Griffin held on for the win and the latest career boost, and now he's got a sweet new ride besides. A couple two-time major winners had big weekends on their respective senior tours. Angel Cabrera (2007 U.S. Open, 2009 Masters) won the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional just six days after winning the rain-delayed Regions Tradition in Alabama. That's two majors in a single week, quite the achievement as Cabrera continues his return to the game following a long stint in prison. Meanwhile, Cristie Kerr (2007 U.S. Women's Open, 2010 Women's PGA Championship) claimed the LPGA Legends event in Utah for her first victory in eight years. Kerr had missed the cut in both LPGA events she played this year, and hopes to be in better form heading into next month's Women's PGA Championship. This is a good start. Will Zalatoris, a fan-favorite player and a guy who came thiiiis close to multiple major wins a few years back, will be out until the fall after electing to undergo surgery to address herniated discs. Zalatoris indicated in a statement that he had felt discomfort after the PGA Championship, and decided on surgery as the best option. He'll now work on rehab in preparation for a fall return to golf. Will Zalatoris announces he underwent back surgery this past week to repair two herniated discs. Get well soon Will! 💪 — (@GOLF_com) May 26, 2025 In his first tournament after winning the PGA Championship, Scottie Scheffler finished a routine T4, four strokes behind Griffin. He also had this par save, which involved a shot that flew past a baby stroller and into a ravine. Seriously. Check it out: Scottie made par from where?! 😳 The No. 1 player in the world and an escape artist.(Presented by @CDWCorp) — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 24, 2025 Yep. Nothing to see here. LPGA: U.S. Women's Open at Erin Hills; PGA: The Memorial at Muirfield Village; PGA Tour Champions: Principal Charity Classic (Des Moines, IA); LIV Golf: Off.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tom McKibbin prize money after he finishes tied 50th at the PGA Championship
It wasn't the best of weeks for Rory McIlroy or Tom McKibbin at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. McIlroy failed to hit the heights of his historic Masters victory with questions over his equipment not helping his pursuit of another major win. McKibbin also toiled around the North Carolina course finishing on +4 in a five-way split for 50th overall. READ MORE: Rory McIlroy receives five apologies from PGA Tour rival's caddie after golf incident READ MORE: Rory McIlroy's three words he muttered under his breath at PGA Championship McIlroy finished one shot better off than his fellow Northern Irish golfer in a tie for 47th. Both men did take home a share of the $19m purse that was up for grabs. For McIlroy it was low paying week compared to some of the cheques he has already earned this year as he walked away with $49,190 along with Cameron young and Robert MacIntyre. McKibbin was slightly behind McIlroy in the overall prize money as he picked up a cheque for $40,674. Kevin Yu, Collin Morikawa, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Wyndham Clark picked up the same as the world 124th after finishing on four over as well. Scottie Scheffler maintained his recent good formed as he surged to a five-shot win on Sunday to claim his third major. In addition to the Wanamaker, Scheffler will take home the top prize of $3.42 million. He also earns a lifetime exemption to compete in the PGA Championship. Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
New York Post
19-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Scottie Scheffler has awkward trophy mishap during PGA Championship celebration: ‘We'll fix it'
Scottie Scheffler's excitement over capturing the PGA Championship title quite literally blew the top off the Wanamaker Trophy. Scheffler was celebrating his third major title when he lifted the vaunted trophy and the lid went flying off, sending several of the PGA of America execs standing behind him running to try and catch the top before it hit the ground. It was placed on a stand that the trophy had been sitting on and Scheffler put it back together while having a laugh about it. 4 Scottie Scheffler of the United States hoists the Wanamaker trophy as the lid falls off after winning the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 18, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images 4 Scottie Scheffler laughs about dropping the top of the Wanamaker trophy after winning the PGA Tournament. Getty Images 'Jim, I guess he can't be great at everything,' CBS Sports' Amanda Balionis said on the broadcast as she was wrapping up her interview with Scheffler. 'That happens,' Jim Nantz said in response with a chuckle. 4 Scottie Scheffler of the United States putts the lid back on of Wanamaker trophy after winning the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 18, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images CBS Sports later posted another video showing Scheffler noticing that the top of the trophy appeared to be a little lopside and started trying to fix it, which included him trying to bang the top on the ground in order to try and fix it. 'We'll fix it,' one of the PGA of America execs tells him in the video. 4 Scottie Scheffler on the ground trying to hit the top of the trophy to fix what he said is a lopsided top. X @GolfonCBS The victory on Sunday in Charlotte was well earned by the World No. 1 after he held off a charging Jon Rahm, who had tied for the lead with birdies on holes 8, 10 and 11 to get to 9-under, while Scheffler dropped down to 9-under. Scheffler finished with a score of 71 for the final round and 11-under for the tournament. 'I knew it was going to be a challenging day. Finishing off a major championship is always difficult,' Schffler told CBS. 'I did a good job of staying patient on the front nine and I didn't have my best stuff, but I kept myself in it, and I stepped up on the back nine. I had a really good nine holes and that's about it.'
