Spaun’s Gritty Glory at Oakmont
American claws back major breakthrough with scrappy brilliance as rain and pressure threaten to unravel final round
Seoul, Korea - J.J. Spaun is the new U.S. Open champion, overcoming an erratic front nine and a weather delay to seal a remarkable first major title on a sodden Sunday at Oakmont.
The 34-year-old American carded a final-round 72 to finish at 1-under-par for the week, two shots ahead of Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, in a gritty display that defied momentum, conditions, and even history.
Spaun, who stumbled to a front-nine 40 before roaring back in 32 strokes, became the first player since 2003 to win a major after shooting in the 40s on the outward half. "Honestly, I just kept telling myself, ‘one good hole can change everything.’ I didn’t feel out of it,” said Spaun, who scrambled to victory despite going 0-for-6 in up-and-downs in the final round.
His win at Oakmont marks just his second PGA Tour victory, the other coming at the 2022 Valero Texas Open. But this triumph launches him into the elite tier—No. 7 in the Official World Golf Ranking and No. 6 in the FedExCup.
The final day was shaped as much by the elements as the leaderboard. Play was suspended for 96 minutes due to dangerous weather in the area. Rain drizzled down for most of the round, adding to the pressure that unglued early leader Sam Burns, whose final-round 78 left him tied for seventh.
MacIntyre nearly authored a comeback for the ages. His closing 68, which included the field’s only eagle on No. 4, was nearly enough to match the biggest Sunday comeback in U.S. Open history. “I gave it everything,” said the Scot. “To finish second hurts, but I know I belong here now.”
Viktor Hovland had his sights set on history too—trying to become Norway’s first major champion—but a 3-over 73 on Sunday saw him fall one shot short of runner-up. Meanwhile, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler kept his astonishing run of form intact, logging his eighth straight top-10 finish with a final-round 70.
Oakmont took no prisoners. Only one player finished under par. And Spaun, the unlikely hero with an all-too-human round of 40-32, now has his name etched alongside the greats. He did it with fight, with scars, and with one sublime back nine.