JJ Spaun Tops US Open Leaderboard at Oakmont After Historic Opening Round
JJ Spaun tops US Open leaderboard at Oakmont after a flawless first round, showcasing brilliance on one of golf’s most unforgiving courses. Spaun fired four birdies on his opening nine to post a historic 31 Oakmont’s lowest front-nine score in US Open history. He followed that up with nine straight pars, finishing with a bogey-free 66. That mark tied the course record and gave him a one-shot lead over Thriston Lawrence, with Si-Woo Kim, Brooks Koepka, and Sung-Jae Im a further stroke behind. The American, who was runner-up at the Players Championship earlier this year after losing a playoff to Rory McIlroy, said he leaned into his nerves to sharpen his focus and capitalized on rare birdie opportunities while scrambling brilliantly.
ICYMI: Spain star delivers scathing criticism after being left out of EURO 2025 squad
McIlroy and Lowry Struggle in Tough Oakmont Conditions
While Spaun thrived, Rory McIlroy endured a nightmare finish in his opening round. The reigning Masters champion began strong, turning in a two-under-par score after starting on the 10th tee, putting him close behind Spaun. However, disaster struck as he dropped six shots between the first and ninth holes. A double bogey on the fourth and dropped shots on the sixth, seventh, and eighth led to a disappointing round of 74, leaving him at four over par. Fellow Irishman Shane Lowry had an even rougher day, carding three double bogeys and dropping 11 shots overall. Despite a bright moment with an eagle on the third hole, Lowry’s nine-over-par finish puts him at serious risk of missing the cut.
Scheffler and DeChambeau Also Falter; Schauffele Fights Back
World number one Scottie Scheffler also found Oakmont brutal, posting six bogeys on his way to a three-over 73. Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau matched that score after bogeying the 15th and 16th. Xander Schauffele, who played alongside DeChambeau, rebounded from a mid-round slump with two late birdies to finish two over. The second round for McIlroy and Lowry tees off Friday at 6:25 p.m.
Local Amateur Vogt Finds Oakmont Unforgiving
Amateur Matt Vogt, a 34-year-old dentist from Pittsburgh who once caddied at Oakmont, had the honor of hitting the first tee shot. Unfortunately, sentiment didn’t help his score. Vogt, who earned his spot through qualification, carded a 12-over-par 82 with six bogeys and three doubles. Despite the painful round, Vogt remained optimistic. “I came in with such optimism for this golf course, but it is so hard,” he said. “In the moment it feels like a punch in the face, but ultimately, I’d say it was fun.” For Vogt, the experience was less about the score and more about living out a lifelong dream on golf’s grand stage.
