OAKMONT, Pa. — In the waning light of Sunday evening at the U.S. Open, Tyrrell Hatton found himself navigating the pressures of a major tournament with palpable tension. As he approached the 17th tee, he watched his shot drift right and breathed a sigh of relief—the right side seemed a safe “miss” on the 314-yard uphill par 4.
Yet Oakmont is no ordinary golf course. Its challenging design welcomed Hatton with its infamous thick rough rather than offering any reprieve. As he reached his ball, nestled in the downslope above a bunker, Hatton realized that luck was not on his side. Unlike other courses, his shot didn’t gently drop into the sand, leaving him an easier path to recover. Instead, the ball’s resting place forced a difficult pitch that failed to reach the green, ending with Hatton slamming his club in frustration. A subsequent chip and two putts nudged him further from contention. As his next drive on the par-4 18th strayed into the rough once more, his hopes for the day quickly faded.
Reflecting on the moments that slipped through his fingers, Hatton noted, “What happened on 17 is going to hurt a lot for a long time,” after securing a tie for fourth at 3-over 283, four strokes behind the winner, J.J. Spaun. It was an exhilarating experience to be in the mix for his first major, yet the turn of fate left a sting and questioned what might have been.
Hatton was not alone in his trials on the demanding course. Having already voiced concerns over Oakmont’s course design—specifically how its deep rough guarded most of its 160-plus bunkers—Saturday’s events saw him maneuver awkwardly out of a sand trap, not without consequence. Sunday’s play continued this theme of unpredictability, culminating in an intense final stretch dotted with weather alerts and leaderboard upheavals. “I’ve missed it in the right spot and got punished, which ultimately I don’t think ends up being fair,” he shared.
While Hatton rued his luck, other contenders faced similar struggles. Carlos Ortiz, also vying for the lead, experienced a heart-wrenching moment when his tee shot on the 503-yard par-4 15th flew left, forcing corrective shots that culminated in a 3-over 73 finish. Ortiz became the first Mexican player in over five decades to crack the top 10, yet he couldn’t mask a lingering disappointment, saying, “It was a great week, but obviously I’m disappointed right now the way it happened.”
Meanwhile, Viktor Hovland continued his pursuit for a major title with tenacity. Starting the day in striking range of the leaders, the Norwegian, playing alongside Spaun, found his groove slipping. The chaotic leaderboard shifts and foul weather warnings created an unpredictable atmosphere, leaving Hovland unable to mount a final surge. Yet even after finishing third—his fourth top-three in a major—he retained an optimistic outlook, recalling past successes and promising better form.
But it was J.J. Spaun who ultimately seized the day. Delivering decisive birdies, including a memorable 64-footer on the 18th, he clinched the victory, etching his name into U.S. Open history. Hovland, witnessing Spaun’s triumph, reluctantly acknowledged the brilliance of the winning stroke, terming it “absolutely filthy.” While the trophy eluded him once more, Hovland sets his eyes forward, determined to reclaim his stellar form and embrace upcoming opportunities with renewed resolve.