JJ Spaun’s U.S. Open victory at Oakmont is about more than just numbers on a leaderboard. It’s a story of perseverance, innovation, and seizing the moment
While the 64-foot bomb on the 72nd hole will be replayed for years, it’s the layers beneath that putt—the trust in a cutting-edge tool, the mental toughness, and the belief in oneself—that truly define this win.
For Spaun, it’s a career-defining moment. For L.A.B. Golf, it’s validation of their mission. And for the golf world at large, it’s a reminder that magic can happen when preparation meets opportunity—especially with the right putter in hand.
JJ Spaun’s first major win at the U.S. Open wasn’t just about mental toughness or execution—it was also about having the right tools for the job.
His bag, curated with precision and fitted to the finest details, is a reflection of modern golf at the highest level: performance-driven, tech-savvy, and highly personalized.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an aspiring pro, there’s a lot to learn from Spaun’s equipment choices. His setup proves that when the stakes are highest, every degree, every gram, and every millimeter matters.
And now, with a major championship in hand, Spaun’s gear—and the man himself—are officially part of golf’s elite.
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Table of Contents
JJ Spaun’s Breakthrough at Oakmont
A Historic Victory in More Ways Than One
The 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club offered one of the most dramatic finales in recent memory, and at the center of it all stood JJ Spaun.1
The 33-year-old American etched his name into golf history by capturing his first major championship with a stunning finish on one of the sport’s most demanding courses.
However, this wasn’t just a personal milestone for Spaun—it also marked a significant moment for golf equipment innovation.
I met Chi Chi at a senior event at Rancho Park golf course in LA when I was 6 years old. Earlier that week I fell down the slide at my school and had a massive black eye. After his round he was signing autographs to a crowd 5 or 6 deep. He saw me and my bruised eye behind the… https://t.co/UOWXEagkMH
— JJ Spaun (@JJSpaun) August 9, 2024
The Influence of Equipment on Modern Golf
Golf is a sport where milliseconds and millimeters make all the difference. In recent years, there’s been increasing emphasis on how technology can provide players with that extra edge.
Spaun’s win represents a validation for innovators like L.A.B. Golf, who challenge traditional design paradigms.
The DF3 putter is a result of intense research and development. It neutralizes torque, which causes twisting of the putter head during the stroke—a common culprit in missed short putts. This technology ensures the face stays square, promoting consistency even under immense pressure.
Now, with a major championship to its name, this equipment advancement is likely to influence more players and manufacturers to reconsider their design strategies.
JJ Spaun’s Magic Moment
A Pivotal Putt in the Rain
As the rain fell and pressure mounted on Sunday, many of the tournament’s leaders began to stumble.2
The soggy and unforgiving Oakmont layout turned even simple shots into daunting challenges. JJ Spaun, however, thrived in the adversity.
On the final hole—facing a 64-foot putt across a slippery, undulating green—Spaun delivered a stroke of perfection.
His ball tracked the line like it was drawn on a string, ultimately dropping into the center of the cup.
The gallery erupted, and with that single putt, Spaun not only secured a two-shot win over Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, but also provided one of the most iconic moments in U.S. Open history.
The Rise of Zero Torque: L.A.B. Golf’s Revolution
JJ Spaun’s victory was also a significant milestone in golf equipment history. He became the first male golfer to win a major using a zero torque putter, specifically the L.A.B. Golf DF3.
Unlike traditional putters that can twist during the stroke—causing misalignment and missed putts—the DF3 is engineered to stay square through impact, thanks to its Lie Angle Balanced (L.A.B.) technology.
The zero torque putter concept has slowly gained traction on professional tours, and Spaun’s triumph has catapulted its popularity. In the rain and pressure of a major final round, it stood the test.
Grant Horvat’s Milestone: A Social Media Testament
JJ Spaun wasn’t the only golfer to celebrate a personal victory with the L.A.B. Golf DF3 this week. Social media golf influencer and rising amateur star Grant Horvat shared his own experience with the innovative putter.
In a video posted to his official Instagram account, Horvat documented what he called his “lowest round this year.”
The footage showed his scorecard gradually improving—starting with even par, moving to one-under, and eventually closing out the round at a sizzling 4-under 66.
In the caption, Horvat didn’t hold back on giving credit: “It was always the short putter.”
This parallel moment, though not on a professional stage, further emphasized the effectiveness of the DF3 putter and its growing reputation among both professionals and amateurs.
A Chaotic Sunday at Oakmont: A Test of Grit
Rain pelted Oakmont throughout the weekend, turning the U.S. Open’s closing round into a mental and physical marathon.
The course, already known for its brutal roughs and lightning-fast greens, became even more unpredictable under the deluge.
Spaun’s competitors—among them seasoned major contenders like Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland—found themselves unraveling on the back nine.
Spaun, on the other hand, managed to keep his composure. Despite bogeying the par-3 16th after a wayward tee shot, he responded with a crucial birdie on the 17th, setting up his crowning moment on 18. It was a performance built on resilience, trust in his process, and faith in his equipment.
JJ Spaun’s Journey: From PGA Grinder to Major Champion
Before his breakthrough, JJ Spaun was often viewed as a solid tour player but not someone typically in contention at majors.3
He had spent years grinding through PGA Tour events, refining his game and waiting for a chance to shine on the biggest stage.
His U.S. Open win is a testament to persistence. Spaun didn’t explode onto the scene with fanfare, but he built his success brick by brick—one cut made, one practice session at a time.
The triumph at Oakmont is not just the result of a hot putter, but years of preparation, adjustment, and mental fortitude.
Social Media Reacts: From Surprise to Celebration
The golf world on social media erupted in the aftermath of Spaun’s final putt. Fans, pros, and analysts alike praised the drama and unpredictability of Oakmont, and many took note of Spaun’s gear choice.
The L.A.B. Golf DF3 quickly trended, with users calling it “the putter of the future” and “Spaun’s secret weapon.”
Grant Horvat’s coincidental post further fueled the conversation. The narrative of two golfers—one a major winner and the other a YouTube sensation—achieving milestones with the same equipment helped generate buzz across platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
The Future of Putting: What Comes Next?
Spaun’s win and Horvat’s highlight reel could signal a paradigm shift in how golfers approach putting. Traditional blade and mallet putters have long dominated the scene, but the zero torque concept might carve a path for a new standard.
Expect more tour professionals to experiment with Lie Angle Balanced designs, especially in the offseason or during practice rounds.
Amateur players, too, may become more curious about how their putting stroke can benefit from equipment that naturally resists face rotation.
Whether this becomes a widespread trend or remains a niche movement, Spaun’s major win has already etched the DF3 into golf lore.
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JJ Spaun: The Winning Formula Behind a Historic Victory
A Victory Years in the Making
JJ Spaun’s triumph at the U.S. Open marks a turning point in his career.
Known for his resilience and relentless work ethic, Spaun’s win wasn’t just about composure under pressure—it was about finding the perfect blend of skill and equipment to rise above one of golf’s most demanding tests.
His steely 32 on the back nine during the final round showcased a level of clutch performance few could match, and his bag was dialed in to deliver that performance.
Here’s a detailed look at what powered Spaun’s win—down to the last shaft and grip.
The Driver: Titleist GT3 9.0 – A Power Play Off the Tee
JJ Spaun’s choice of the Titleist GT3 9.0 driver, paired with a Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black Velocore+ 6-X shaft, tells us everything about his emphasis on control and feel over raw speed.
The GT3 is known for its low-spin, tour-validated design that gives elite players the ability to work the ball both ways while maintaining tight dispersion.
The Ventus Black Velocore+ shaft complements the driver’s head by offering increased stability and reduced torque, which is crucial for staying aggressive on tight fairways—a trademark of any U.S. Open setup.
Spaun ranked top-10 in strokes gained off the tee during the tournament, proving this combo was not only effective but critical to his success.
JJ Spaun: TaylorMade Qi10 Delivers Reliable Distance Gapping
In Spaun’s bag were two TaylorMade Qi10 fairway woods: a 15.0˚ 3-wood with a Mitsubishi Diamana PD 70TX shaft, and an 18.0˚ 5-wood fitted with the slightly heavier Diamana PD 80TX.
These clubs bridge the gap between Spaun’s driver and his longest iron, offering versatile shot-making from both the fairway and the rough.
The Qi10 lineup is known for forgiveness and hot faces, something Spaun utilized when finding tight landing zones and attacking long par 5s in two. With a moderate draw bias and excellent turf interaction, these woods provided both power and playability.
Irons: A Split Set of Srixon ZXi5 and ZXi7
Spaun opted for a split set of irons, a popular configuration among pros who demand the benefits of different iron models throughout the bag.
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4-iron: Srixon ZXi5
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5-PW: Srixon ZXi7
The ZXi5 in the 4-iron position offered a bit more forgiveness and distance, perfect for long par-3s and strategic layups. Meanwhile, the ZXi7 irons from 5-PW are more compact and precision-oriented, designed for shot-shaping and dialed-in distance control.
He paired these irons with two types of True Temper shafts:
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Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 in the 4-iron for a smoother transition
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Dynamic Gold X100 from 5-PW for tighter dispersion and a lower, more penetrating flight
This shaft selection balanced feel with control, which showed in Spaun’s high green-in-regulation stats.
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Iron Specs: Precision You Can Measure
A closer look at Spaun’s iron specs reveals just how meticulously his equipment is fit to his swing. His lofts are traditional, preserving distance gapping without chasing “strong loft” trends.
For example:
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Loft progression: 23˚ to 46˚
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Lie angles: Increasing steadily from 60˚ to 64˚
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Lengths: Gradual reduction from 38.25″ in the 4-iron to 35.75″ in the PW
These precise specs allow Spaun to deliver the clubface consistently and produce the ball flights he needs. In tough major championship conditions, such meticulous fitting is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Wedges: Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore Brings the Short Game Heat
Spaun carried three wedges:
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50˚ Mid Bounce
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54˚ Full Bounce (High)
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60˚ Low Bounce
All were Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore models, known for their feel, spin, and exceptional control around the greens.
These wedges feature Cleveland’s “HydraZip” face tech, which enhances spin in all conditions—especially important on slick, fast U.S. Open greens.
His True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts in the wedges provided the consistency needed in feel between his irons and short game tools.
What makes this setup elite is its versatility: Spaun can attack tucked pins with the 60˚ low bounce option or play safer, fuller shots with the 54˚ full-bounce wedge depending on the lie and turf conditions.
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