J.J. Spaun battled through a rocky start and brutal conditions to win his first major at the 125th U.S. Open. The 34-year-old sealed victory with a dramatic 64½-foot birdie on the final hole at Oakmont.
Spaun’s emotional celebration followed the improbable putt, as he embraced his caddie, wife, and daughters. Refusing to check the scoreboard, he focused on execution and avoided defensive play, relying on crowd reactions to gauge his standing.
His final round 72 made him the only player to finish under par at 1-under 279. Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre finished two strokes back, with Viktor Hovland third at 2-over 282.
Spaun’s resilience shone after bogeying five of the first six holes. A weather delay helped him reset, leading to clutch birdies on holes 12, 14, 17, and the unforgettable finish on 18 for a career-defining win.
