US Open champ reveals taunt from Rory McIlroy at The Masters hurt him: "That was too soon"

Reigning US Open champion JJ Spaun has revealed he was 'hurt' by a one-line dagger from Rory McIlroy at The Masters when the grand slam winner brought up his victory at the 2025 Players Championship. 

McIlroy claimed his second Players title in March with a comfortable victory over Spaun in a three-hole aggregate playoff at TPC Sawgrass. 

The Ulsterman dominated the playoff from the very beginning and already had a one-shot lead before both hit their tee shots at the iconic par-3 17th that is surrounded by water. 

McIlroy found the green with his 9-iron and two-putted for par after hitting what he later described as a 'three-quarter, three-quarter shot' 

Spaun, meanwhile, hit an 8-iron and dunked his ball in the water to effectively end his hopes. 

McIlroy, who won his 28th PGA Tour title on St Patrick's Day, later said he felt bad for Spaun. 

But according to Spaun, the Northern Irishman taunted him before the 2025 Masters at Augusta National. 

So much so that witness Shane Lowry appeared to believe the line was a bit much. 

Spaun revealed all in the latest episode of GOLF's Subpar. 

He explained that he bumped into McIlroy during the annual Masters Par-3 Contest.

Spaun had gotten himself into a playoff at the fun, light-hearted tradition that is held the Wednesday before The Masters. 

"I'm walking back to the par 3 course and Rory is like leaving the range and we're kinda crossing paths," he told the pod. 

"He says, 'Are you guys doing a playoff for the par 3 contest?' 

"I was like, 'Yeah, I guess'. He's like, 'Better get the club right this time.'"

Spaun added: "That hurt. That hit me. Deep. Shane Lowry was there and he was like, 'F------ hell, Rory!"

"Yeah, granted it was just a little rinky dink par 3 contest and it doesn't matter but it was still a little too soon to hear that."

Spaun said he didn't even win the playoff. 

Brutal. 

Watch the clip here: