JJ Spaun celebrated a thrilling victory at the US Open, winning by two shots over Robert MacIntyre. The decisive moment came when Spaun sank a remarkable 64-foot birdie putt on the 18th green at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. This win marks Spaun’s first major championship title.
After the round, Spaun expressed his joy, saying, “Just to finish it off like that is just a dream.” He described the experience as unforgettable, especially because he was able to share it with his family on Father’s Day.
The final round was intense, with Spaun needing only a par on the last hole to avoid a playoff. Instead, he surpassed expectations by making the long putt in rainy conditions. Earlier in the round, he had reached the 17th hole tied with MacIntyre, who had already finished with a solid score of two-under 68. Spaun made a stunning 309-yard drive to set up an eagle opportunity, although he ultimately made a birdie.
Despite the pressure, Spaun kept his focus. He chose not to look at the scoreboard, relying on the crowd’s reactions to gauge his standing in the tournament. “I didn’t want to do anything dumb trying to protect a three-putt,” he explained.
The final round faced interruptions due to a heavy rain delay, which lasted 96 minutes. This caused puddles to form on the greens, and the grounds crew had to work hard to prepare the course for play.
Viktor Hovland finished in third place, three shots behind Spaun, while Cameron Young, Tyrrell Hatton, and Carlos Ortiz shared fourth place. Sam Burns, who started the final round with a one-shot lead, struggled and finished five shots back.
This victory comes just months after Spaun’s near miss at The Players Championship, where he lost in a playoff to Rory McIlroy. His performance at Oakmont shows he can compete with the best in the sport.
As for McIlroy, he managed to finish strong with a 67 but ended up well behind the leaders. He acknowledged needing some time off to reset before the upcoming British Open.
Spaun’s win is a significant milestone in his career, and he looks forward to cherishing this moment with his family for years to come.