PGA Pro J.J. Spaun Groomed his Golf Game in South Pasadena

He was a four-year varsity golfer at San Dimas High where he graduated in 2008 before taking his talents to San Diego State University.

PHOTO: Esteban Lopez | SouthPasadenan.com News

A pro golfer with roots in South Pasadena, coming off his first PGA Tour win last Sunday, is headed to Augusta, Georgia to play in this week’s Masters.

J.J. Spaun, who had a final round 69 to claim the Valero Texas Open title on Sunday with five birdies and no bogeys, to finish 13 under at TPC San Antonio, worked on his game growing up at the 3-par Arroyo Seco Golf Course in the city.

During the telecast on NBC, it was mentioned that Spaun “cut his teeth” as a youngster at a 3-par course in South Pasadena, California, without mentioning it by name.

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“I’ve heard of him, but I didn’t know he played locally,” said South Pasadena High golf coach Ed Smith on Monday. “I can understand him wanting to play there. The Arroyo Seco is a great course to work on your short game.”

Spaun, who was born in Los Angeles, struggled out of the gate in his 147th PGA start Sunday, recording a double-bogey on the first hole before turning his game around with five birdies to finish at 13-under for a two shot victory over Matt Kuchar, who also shot a 69, and Matt Jones with a 66.

“It’s a great feeling to be in the winner’s circle, and now it’s like a game changer,” Spaun told PGATOUR.COM. “I don’t know. It’s just perseverance. Just trying to push through and stay strong.”

He was a four-year varsity golfer at San Dimas High where he graduated in 2008 before taking his talents to San Diego State University, earning conference player of the year in 2012.

It’s a remarkable turnaround for a player to record his first PGA Tour victory after missing the cut in 14 of his 26 starts, finishing in the top 10 only once during the 2020-2021 season and dropping to 396th last October in the World Golf Rankings. Among his missed cuts the past two seasons was the tournament he just won, the Valero Texas Open.

To retain his playing card, at one point the 31-year-old returned to the PGA Korn Ferry Tour, featuring professional golfers who have not reached the regular tour or have been there but didn’t win enough FedEx Cup points to stay on board.

Now back on the big tour, at least on Sunday, Spaun showed he belongs, ending the day with four straight pars, holding off all pursuers and walking off with $1.54 million in prize money.