A year ago, winning his way into the Masters seemed almost out of reach to J.J. Spaun.
He was on his way to losing his PGA Tour card, he was still adjusting from having his Type 1 diabetes go misdiagnosed for a time and he was chasing a game that seemed to be getting further away.
When Spaun double bogeyed the first hole in the final round Sunday at TPC San Antonio after starting the day tied for the lead, it could have come spinning apart. Instead, Spaun steadied himself and landed the last available spot in the Masters with his two-stroke victory over Matt Jones and Matt Kuchar.
“A year ago to even be on tour, I’d tell you have to do a lot of work to do that,†Spaun said. “To be here, I’ve overcome a lot of things. To finally get that first win, it’s the kind of thing you dream of.â€
Before getting his game back, Spaun had to get his health back.
The 31-year-old began losing weight in 2018, dropping approximately 50 pounds as his energy and swing speed declined, as did his on-course performance. He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a diet-related illness, but the diagnosis was wrong.
Spaun actually has Type 1 diabetes, a genetic disorder that is typically found in children or teenagers. The condition cannot be cured but can be managed through insulin, diet and lifestyle.
Figuring out what was wrong physically took a toll on Spaun’s career. He ranked 185th in FedEx Cup points last season, losing his PGA Tour privileges. He played his way back onto the tour via the Korn Ferry Tour finals.
“I was just playing bad (last year),†Spaun said. “I was lost. I didn’t know where my swing was. I didn’t know what to do. I was working hard at it, too.
“I was putting so much into my game and getting nothing out of it.
“Losing my card was probably the best thing to happen to me. It was kind of what I needed, maybe. It wasn’t a lack of effort or being lazy. It was like a switch that needed to be fixed.â€
Consider it fixed.
Off to Augusta to play his first Masters, Spaun said he is looking forward to three things in particular:
The drive down Magnolia Lane, playing the Par 3 Contest and the pimento cheese sandwiches.
“(Playing the Masters) means the world,†Spaun said. “You’ve only dreamed of playing there, for most of us. To think we’re heading there is incredible.â€
Ron Green Jr.