FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP) — It was the wisdom U.S. Ryder Cup rookie J.J. Spaun needed, even after winning a major, climbing to No. 6 in the world and automatically qualifying for the team.

Justin Thomas, who’s played in more Ryder Cups than anyone on this American squad, told the U.S. Open winner: “You earned your spot on this team. Don’t feel like this is a handout or a pick. You have a major that a lot of us are very jealous of, and you deserve to be on this team.”

“I think hearing that has helped me feel like I fit in more as a core player than a rookie who’s just trying to make some sort of impact,” Spaun, 35, said Tuesday at Bethpage Black. “I think that’s huge for my confidence.”

A year removed from being in danger of losing his PGA Tour card until rallying to finish at No. 98 in the

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