In a memorable display at the U.S. Open held on the challenging Oakmont course in Oakmont, Pa., J.J. Spaun achieved a remarkable victory amid tough conditions. Despite a rough start, the 34-year-old Californian refused to let circumstances defeat him and ultimately emerged as a major champion. He overpowered the damp and drizzly weather with a pair of pivotal shots that highlighted his perseverance.
Spaun’s defining moment came late in the tournament, with the first decisive play being his drive on the accessible par-4 17th hole. This set him up for a birdie, and he confidently maintained his leading position. The second critical play was a jaw-dropping 65-foot putt on the 18th, sinking with the rain tantalizingly falling as the sun disappeared — a putt that only required two shots but confirmed his single-player-under-par finish, a triumph on such a challenging course.
The putt on the 18th closed his tournament with a spectacular back-nine score of 32, positioning him at 1-under 279 for the event. His final round of 72 was historically the highest closing-round score for a U.S. Open winner in the past 15 years. Yet, the takeaway was not about his score but rather the impressive distances he covered with his putts over the four-day tournament, accumulating a remarkable 401.5 feet.
Joining the ranks of iconic golfers like Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Jon Rahm, Spaun became the fifth to finish this prestigious tournament with consecutive birdies. Reflecting on his journey to victory, he expressed his patient philosophy, believing consistent efforts would eventually lead to a significant win, which indeed paid off at Oakmont.
The weather was less than favorable on Sunday, impacting performances across the leaderboard. As rain began early, Spaun’s initial nine-hole score of 40 seemed to put him out of reach. During a 1-hour-37-minute rain delay, his coaches offered crucial advice: “Dude, just chill.” They emphasized a relaxed approach given his strategic position, and the mental reset allowed him to refocus and excel.
Post-intermission, Spaun executed beautiful long putts on the 12th and 14th holes, driving him to an even par and into uncharted leadership territory. As his competitors contended with the elements, they faltered: Sam Burns, the third-round leader, experienced a catastrophic back nine, with two double bogeys leading to a 40 and a shared seventh place. Adam Scott suffered from a back-nine decline, blaming a lack of adaptation for his drop to 12th place.
Tyrrell Hatton momentarily challenged the lead but concluded with bogeys, tying for fourth place. Meanwhile, runner-up Robert MacIntyre persisted alongside Spaun, applying pressure with his performance near the greens but was ultimately unable to contest the leader’s closing shot succession.
Spaun’s extraordinary performance is underscored by memories of a chaotic Father’s Day morning when he was awakened at 3 a.m. to care for his unwell daughter. He drove to the drugstore in distress, but the day’s chaos instead seemed to parody and mimic the turmoil he faced on the course as a reminder of life’s unpredictability.
In the end, Spaun’s triumph derived from maintaining astute determination, seizing crucial opportunities, and navigating past challenges. Championing at the U.S. Open granted him a spot in elite company and awarded him much-deserved accolades and the rewards associated with this historic victory. As his coach, Adam Schriber, commented, “It’s for these moments” that sacrifices in the life of a golfer bear their ultimate fruit.