Golf star hurt by Rory McIlroy comments and wants private chat at The Open

JJ Spaun has candidly revealed the sting of a sharp seven-word taunt from Masters champion Rory McIlroy, which he felt was "too soon" following his Players Championship disappointment. The 34-year-old went toe-to-toe with McIlroy in a nail-biting play-off at the Players earlier this year.

Speaking on GOLF's Subpar podcast, Spaun disclosed how the painful defeat to McIlroy didn't stop the celebrated Grand Slam winner from delivering a cutting remark just weeks later. Co-host Drew Stoltz quizzed Spaun about any pre-major advice he'd received. Clearly with an anecdote in mind, Spaun cursed and chuckled before confirming that indeed, he had.

The showdown between Spaun and McIlroy unfolded over three holes on a gusty Monday morning. While McIlroy was chasing his second victory at the event, Spaun was pursuing what would have been the most significant triumph of his career thus far.

McIlroy managed a birdie on the 16th, outpacing Spaun's par. The decisive moment came at the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, where McIlroy hit the green and Spaun's shot tragically overshot, plunging into the water hazard.

Reflecting on his club selection afterwards, Spaun famously told reporters: "I was never thinking of anything other than 8-iron. Even after Rory hit nine, he's easily a club longer than me."

In a dramatic twist at Augusta, Spaun and Nico Echavarria found themselves locked in a tie during the Masters Par-3 Contest. Despite the event's typically jovial nature, a play-off ensued to crown a winner.

As Spaun prepared for the play-off, he had an unexpected encounter with Rory McIlroy. Recounting the sharp exchange, Spaun revealed: "[Rory's] like, 'Are you doing a playoff for the Par-3 Contest?'"

"I'm like, 'yeah, I guess'. And he's like, 'Better get the club right this time.' That hurt, that hit me deep. Shane Lowry was there, he's like, 'F***ing hell, Rory.'

"Granted, it was a little rinky-dink par-3, but doesn't matter, but it was still a little too soon to hear that. [The wound] was not healed yet."

However, Spaun's fortunes turned as he clinched his first major title at Oakmont Country Club in June. He triumphed at the 2025 US Open with a stunning 64-foot putt on the final hole, edging out Robert MacIntyre by two strokes.

Before securing his victory, Spaun acknowledged the pivotal role the Players' Championship play-off with McIlroy played in boosting his confidence and shaping his career.

"The Players was sort of a springboard into self-belief," he said. "But to do that at The Players, where I'd never excelled historically, and to match Rory shot for shot on Sunday, with the pressure of a playoff, it did heaps for my confidence. It's unfortunate I didn't come out on top, but that experience has been invaluable."

Despite not seizing the championship, McIlroy has made significant progress in shedding the erratic play that had plagued him since his Masters victory in April, landing in second place at the Scottish Open. Yet, it was American sensation Chris Gotterup who held firm against McIlroy's formidable challenge to secure triumph.

As The Open looms, McIlroy appears to be in strong form, despite challenging conditions. "It was pretty windy and hard to get the ball super close," he added "I gave myself plenty of chances coming down the stretch. It's been a great week. I'm really happy with where my game is. No frustration, really."

This article first appeared on Mirror US.