J.J. Spaun's win at the U.S. Open was one of the best sports moments of the year. It was also full of teaching moments.

The California native tells PEOPLE that "fortunate breaks" helped him to come out on top at Oakmont on Sunday, June 15

J.J. Spaun Coming off 1st Major Win at U.S. Open

His thrilling victory at Oakmont Country Club on Sunday was another example of the inspiring resilience of a San Dimas High graduate who never forgot his roots.

J. Spaun won the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club after sinking an impressive putt from 64 feet away from the hole. He joins TODAY, along with his caddie Mark Carens, to talk about getting his “head back in the game” for the back nine after a rougher first half to his game and how he was up late the night before while his youngest daughter was fighting a bug.

JJ Spaun didn't just win $4.3 million—he also soared up the OWGR and Ryder Cup standings after his U.S. Open victory.

J.J. Spaun's Sunday at Oakmont to win the 2025 U.S. Open was one of the craziest final rounds from a major champion in recent memory. He began his day with five bogeys in his first six holes, going from tied at 2nd to five shots back of the lead before even making the turn.

J.J. Spaun captured his first major championship with a stunning birdie-birdie finish to win the U.S. Open at Oakmont. Needing just two putts to win, Spaun sunk a bomb from 64 feet, 5 inches at No. 18 to secure the title.

J.J. Spaun hit razor-thin fairways, weathered rain showers and overcame Oakmont Country Club's gauntlet of a golf course to win the first major title of his career Sunday at the 2025 U.S. Open.

Tiger Woods proved to be a motivation for JJ Spaun's U.S. Open win after a rain-soaked course challenged him to the edge.