J.J. Spaun Claims First Major Championship at U.S. Open
OAKMONT, Pa. — J.J. Spaun transformed a challenging U.S. Open at the wet and difficult Oakmont into a remarkable victory on Sunday, concluding with two extraordinary shots that secured his first major title.
His day began with a magnificent drive on the 314-yard 17th hole, landing on the green for a birdie that positioned him in the lead. To clinch the win, he needed to two-putt from a distance of 64 feet on the 18th hole. However, he completed his impressive finish by sinking the longest putt of the week at Oakmont for a birdie, finishing with a 2-over 72.
This performance made him the sole player to end the tournament under par at 1-under 279, securing a two-shot lead over Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre.
At 36 years old, Spaun, who bears a resemblance to the late Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris, achieved major champion status in just his second appearance at the U.S. Open. “I never thought I would be here holding this trophy,” he expressed, recalling his last year in which he ranked No. 119 in the world with only one PGA Tour victory to his name. “I always had aspirations and dreams, but I’m just trying to be the best golfer I can be.”
Challenges for Others
Many other competitors encountered various challenges throughout the day. Sam Burns, who previously held a two-shot lead going to the 11th tee, faced a double bogey due to an unfortunate lie. He concluded with a score of 78. Adam Scott, in pursuit of becoming the first player to wait over 11 years between major titles, was tied for the lead with five holes remaining, yet his game unraveled. He ended with a score of 79 after playing five holes at 5 over par.
The rainy conditions that nearly made Oakmont unplayable might have worked in Spaun’s favor. After beginning the day just one shot behind, he faced setbacks with five bogeys in six holes and a painful rain delay of 1 hour and 37 minutes. Remarkably, he only recorded one more bogey for the remainder of the day.
The Remarkable Finish
MacIntyre, the 28-year-old from Oban, Scotland, became the new competitor to beat, initially struggling but later birdieing the 17th. After achieving a key par on the 18th, he set the clubhouse lead with a score of 68. Spaun then delivered a powerful fade that rolled onto the green, setting him up for a dramatic finish. With encouragement from Viktor Hovland, who went first, Spaun confidently made the winning putt, eliciting cheers from the soaked crowd.
As he celebrated, raising his arms and tossing his putter, he embraced his caddie, Mark Carens. The victory resonated with other players as well; MacIntyre applauded while Hatton shared how Spaun’s remarkable putt brightened his mood despite his own disappointing finish. “To win a major in that fashion is amazing,” Hatton remarked.
