Spaun Hangs On for the Win, Becomes Major Champion at Oakmont
JJ Spaun fought through an early collapse in his final round to finish strong and claim victory at the 125th US Open on a rainy and dramatic day at Oakmont Country Club. Spaun hangs on for the win, becomes major champion at Oakmont, despite a rough start where he bogeyed four of his first five holes. He had started the day just one shot behind third-round leader Sam Burns, but dug deep to find his form when it mattered most.
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The Turning Point at 17
The pivotal moment came on the driveable par-four 17th hole. Tied with Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, Spaun unleashed a 309-yard drive that landed just 17 feet from the hole. Although his eagle putt slid past, he calmly sank the return putt for birdie, overtaking MacIntyre and setting himself up for a grand finish.
A Memorable Ending on Father’s Day
Spaun’s final hole was just as thrilling. Without checking the scoreboard, he relied on crowd noise and instinct, knowing that two putts might be enough to win. He calmly sank a 65-foot putt, capping off a closing round of 72 and finishing the week at one-under-par. As the winning putt dropped, Spaun celebrated with a fist pump, tossed his putter in joy, and walked off the green with his daughters on Father’s Day. “To finish it off like that is just a dream,” he said. “Having my family there made it unforgettable.”
Others Falter as Spaun Stays Steady
While Spaun surged, others struggled. Overnight leader Sam Burns and his playing partner Adam Scott faded late. Tyrrell Hatton also saw his brief share of the lead vanish. MacIntyre posted a stellar two-under 68 to finish one-over-par, briefly holding the clubhouse lead. But Spaun wasn’t to be denied.
Weather Delay Adds to the Drama
The final round was delayed nearly two hours by weather, sparking fears of a Monday finish. However, play resumed and Spaun seized his moment. Scottie Scheffler ended with an even-par 70, finishing at four-over, while Rory McIlroy carded a solid 67—his best round of the week—to sneak into the top 20. Reflecting on his season, McIlroy said, “I climbed my Everest in April. Now I need to find my next mountain.”
