What is J.J. Spaun's nationality? Team USA golfer proud of his parents' heritage

J.J. Spaun got the chance to take the course for his first Ryder Cup match on Friday afternoon.

He was paired with Scottie Scheffler, and Team USA needed two of its top golfers to help swing the momentum after a strong morning from Team Europe.

Spaun broke out on the PGA Tour this year, gaining a lot of new fans.

He’s made it this far thanks to an upbringing he’s proud of.

MORE: Tiger Woods’ Ryder Cup record is way worse than you’d think

What is J.J. Spaun’s nationality?

J.J. Spaun has an ethnic background from the Philippines and Mexico.

He explained in a 2022 interview:

“So my grandfather on my mom’s side, he’s from — he’s not from the Philippines, but his parents were. But they moved to California and he was born there, but he spoke Ilocano, which is like a dialect of Tagalog. It’s from a very small island; I wish I remember what it was. My whole mom’s side, they’re all half Filipino and half Mexican, so that’s what makes up my heritage. Sadly, he passed a few years ago, but he was — he was kind of the main Filipino person in our family.”

J.J. Spaun parents

J.J. Spaun’s mother, Dollie, loves golf.

She played while pregnant with J.J. until she reached eight months.

So he’s been on a golf course since his conception.

J.J’s father, John, has supported Spaun’s golf dream, too.

54-hole leader @JJSpaun was born for this.

JJ’s mom Dollie was an avid golfer, playing golf until she was eight months pregnant (after her doctor approved.)

“People would always tell me that my son was going to be a golfer when he grew up.” pic.twitter.com/8MA0QaYvCb

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 16, 2025