Before J.J. Spaun lifted a major trophy, he spent his tournament weeks cleaning the muddy footwear of the very players he hoped to beat. The 2025 U.S. Open champion now commands respect on the biggest stages, but his path began with a menial job at Torrey Pines. As a San Diego State student, Spaun worked in the locker room during the Farmers Insurance Open, scrubbing shoes for a team fundraiser. The experience offered a stark contrast to his current status, especially when he looked up to see a former rival standing on the other side of the counter.
Spaun detailed the particular dynamic of that era during an episode of the We Need a Fourth Podcast. The job required him to shine the shoes of professionals who had once defeated him in high-stakes amateur matches. Among those players was Harris English, a man Spaun faced in the quarterfinals of the 2011 U.S. Amateur Public Links. That match at Bandon Dunes ended in heartbreak for Spaun after a rules error cost him the lead. Years later, the irony of polishing English’s shoes while English competed on tour became a running joke between the two.
The Reality of the Shoe Shine Job
Spaun described the financial reality of the work, noting that the tips collected went directly to the university program rather than the students doing the labor. “Yes, Harris took care of us, but we didn’t get to count the tips. I was like, ‘Come on, man. I need some gas. It’s a 30-minute drive each way.’ But apparently, the money went to the program,” Spaun told the podcast. While English tipped well, the cash never reached Spaun’s pocket. This arrangement fueled a specific frustration for the senior student, who watched the professionals he served earn significant income while he worked for a program fund.
The emotional weight of the job grew heavier as Spaun advanced in his college career. He noted that by his senior year, the novelty had worn off completely. “By the time you’re a senior, you’re like, there’s all these freakin* guys that like I was just beaten up on like last year that are on tour now, and I’m shining the freakin* shoes. So, yeah, it kind of like wore off, you know, the beauty of it,” Spaun said. The experience highlighted the long road from amateur obscurity to professional success. Spaun had walked on to the San Diego State team in 2009 without a scholarship, eventually earning a 70 percent one before making his way to the PGA Tour.
According to Yardbarker, the story of Spaun and English dates back to June 2011. The two met in a match where the winner secured a Masters invitation. At Old Macdonald, his game fell apart while Spaun was one stroke behind on the par-five 17th hole. He marked his ball off the green, incurring a two-shot penalty that turned an eagle putt into a par putt. He lost the hole and the match, a defeat that set the stage for the awkward locker room encounters years later. The USGA later clarified the rules surrounding that specific penalty, but the memory of the loss remained fresh for Spaun.
From Amateur Heartbreak to Major Glory
The journey from cleaning shoes to winning a major represents one of the most dramatic arcs in recent golf history. Spaun’s story, as reported by Yardbarker, illustrates the grit required to reach the top level of the sport. The “inside joke” with Harris English is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in professional golf. What started as a humble team fundraiser at Torrey Pines evolved into a full-time career where Spaun now competes against the very men he once served.
Spaun’s reflection on those days shows a deep appreciation for the grind. He understood that the money went to support his teammates and the program, even if it meant missing out on gas money for the drive home. The contrast between the student worker and the touring pro is sharp, yet Spaun bridges that gap with his own success. His ability to laugh about the situation, particularly regarding English, demonstrates a maturity that likely helped him navigate the pressures of winning the 2025 U.S. Open.
The Lasting Impact of the Locker Room
The anecdote about Harris English and the shoe shining job provides a unique window into the early days of a future champion. It highlights the unglamorous work that often precedes professional success. As Spaun noted, the “beauty” of the job faded as the competitive gap narrowed, replaced by the reality of facing former rivals in a professional setting. This narrative, detailed by Yardbarker, underscores the perseverance required to move from a walk-on college player to a major winner.
The specific memory of shining Harris English’s shoes is a grounding moment for the champion. It reminds fans and players alike that everyone starts somewhere, often in the most unexpected places. The journey from the locker room at Torrey Pines to the 18th green of a major championship is a path few walk, but Spaun has navigated it with distinction.
