US Open champ reveals Disney film that helped him seal Ryder Cup spot
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Ryder Cup rookie JJ Spaun just rocked up to his press conference and did something no one expected. Rob Jerram was there to witness the magic…
Ryder Cup weeks are unpredictable and you can guarantee some things will happen that no one is ticking off their bingo card. At Bethpage, the honor of creating the first of those moments goes to JJ Spaun.
The US Open champion is making his debut in the biennial clash – something he says he never even dreamed of due to crippling self-doubt.
“I think that kind of stems back to self-belief issues and knowing my ceiling, what it could be,” he told the media when asked why he’d never allowed himself to imagine the moment. “I just always took one step at a time. But I’m just so honored to be here, to represent my country, to play alongside these great players, the best players in the world, and I’m really excited to get going.”
But how did he overcome those self-belief limits to help him become one of the world’s best golfers and secure a spot in Keegan Bradley’s side as they seek to regain the trophy in New York?
Well, he’s got his first daughter, Emerson Lili, and a well-known animated Disney film to thank for that.
That’s right, the secret behind the 35-year-old’s rise is down to Frozen. More specifically, Idina Menzel’s belting vocals.
“I just tried to let go as much as possible,” he smiled. “I think once I had my first daughter, her favorite song was Let it Go, and I think hearing it hundreds of times every day was osmosis, and it just hit deep into the soul. I just tried to go by that mantra.”
What followed was even less expected. Asked if he could sing it, the normally quiet and retiring Spaun leaned into the mic and softly sang the title line, as you can see below, raising smiles among the gathered press pack.
The Californian has had the season of his life, contending in the biggest events before producing a stunning closing nine to win his first major at Oakmont and rising to a career high of 6th in the world rankings. He’ll lean heavily on his experiences across recent months when he steps onto the tee for his first national team appearance.
“I’ve definitely thought about certain scenarios that I could be in this week, he said. “I think the best thing that I can do is rely on my experiences over this season. Some of the really close finishes I’ve had. Then obviously closing out the US Open at Oakmont in June. I hadn’t been in those situations before, but it started in Hawaii. I was leading going into Sunday, didn’t go my way, same thing with The Players. Just kind of growing off each experience where I just kept getting closer and closer and closer, and then the US Open I had it and finished it off.
“I think the biggest thing in preparation for me leading into this week was kind of trying to remember that experience at Oakmont and knowing that I have done it and I can do it. That’s kind of the mindset I’ve got to go in with this week”
And Spaun, who says winning a team event is the “missing piece” in his season, has been quick to pick the brains of the more experienced members of the US team room as he looks to play a key role.
“I just want to know how they feel, just so I can kind of get an estimation of how I’ll most likely feel. But yeah, the common theme is, like, everyone is very nervous, so if you feel nervous, don’t worry, everyone else is as well.”
“I’ve talked to JT quite a bit, and he’s like, you earned your spot on this team; don’t feel like this is a handout or a pick. You have a major that a lot of us are very jealous of, and you deserve to be on this team. I think hearing that has helped me feel like I fit in more as a core player than a rookie that is just trying to make some sort of impact. So I think that’s huge for my confidence.”
And if the self-doubt does creep in, he can always sing a few more lines of his daughter’s favorite song.
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JJ Spaun sang a bit of Disney's 'Let It Go' during his Ryder Cup press conference.
