Open Championship star 'hurt' by Rory McIlroy comment in private conversation

JJ Spaun has revealed how a harsh seven-word taunt from Masters champion Rory McIlroy came "too soon" following his heart-wrenching defeat at the Players Championship. The 34-year-old Spaun and McIlroy, 36, played out a nail-biting play-off showdown at the Players in March this year.

Speaking on , Spaun opened up about how his painful loss to McIlroy didn't stop the career Grand Slam-winning superstar from throwing a cutting remark his way just weeks later.

Subpar co-host Drew Stoltz asked Spaun if he had ever received any sage advice before a major golf tournament. Clearly with a tale to share, Spaun then swore and chuckled before confessing that he had.

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Spaun and McIlroy went head-to-head in a three-hole aggregate play-off on a windy Monday morning. McIlroy was vying for his second title at the competition, while Spaun was chasing the most significant victory of his career so far.

McIlroy birdied the 16th, while Spaun parred. On the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, Spaun sealed his fate as McIlroy found the green, with Spaun overshooting and landing in the water, reports the Mirror US.

Fast-forward to weeks later at Augusta, and Spaun and Nico Echavarria were tied in the Masters Par-3 Contest. While the annual Wednesday event is often a lighthearted affair, a play-off is still required to decide the victor.

Spaun was heading back to the course for the play-off when, as fate would have it, he ran into McIlroy. Spaun then explained the cutting seven-word remark that was pretty close to the bone for the 34-year-old. He said: "[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.'" Spaun continued: “That hurt, that hit me deep. Shane Lowry was there, he’s like, ‘F*****g 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," he added.

Despite the jibe, Spaun didn't let it derail him. He went on to claim his first major victory at Oakmont Country Club, sinking an incredible 64-foot putt on the 18th hole of the 2025 US Open, edging out Robert MacIntyre by two strokes.

Spaun has earlier reflected on how the March play-off with McIlroy had been pivotal, giving him a surge of confidence that helped pave the way to his major win.

"The Players was sort of a springboard into self-belief," he said after his impressive first round at the US Open. "But to do that at The Players, a course where I'd never done well historically, and to go head-to-head with Rory on Sunday, and then the playoff was great for my confidence. Sadly, I didn't win, but it was brilliant for me to lean back on that experience."

Meanwhile, McIlroy has taken significant steps in shaking off his erratic performance since triumphing in April's Masters, finishing in second place at the Scottish Open on Sunday. Ultimately, US star Chris Gotterup fought off a stern challenge from the Northern Irishman to clinch the title.

However, with The Open fast approaching, McIlroy seemed to be in a good place with his game. "It was pretty windy and hard to get the ball super close," he said.

"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."