J.J. Spaun Claims Career-Defining U.S. Open Title at Oakmont
In a performance defined by remarkable resilience and a flair for the dramatic, J.J. Spaun captured his first major championship, winning the 125th U.S. Open at the demanding Oakmont Country Club on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Despite a challenging start and battling tough weather conditions, the 34-year-old Californian finished the tournament as the only player under par at 1-under 279, securing a two-stroke victory over Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre.
Spaun’s path to the winner’s circle was anything but conventional, culminating in a unforgettable 64.5-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole that will forever be etched in U.S. Open history.
Overcoming Adversity: A Final Round of Resilience
The final round began with Spaun just one stroke behind 54-hole leader Sam Burns. However, his title hopes appeared to quickly unravel as he bogeyed five of his first six holes, dropping to 2 over par and trailing the lead by four strokes.
The Crucial Weather Delay
A significant turning point arrived with a 96-minute weather suspension due to heavy rain. Before the delay, Spaun managed to save crucial pars on the 7th and 8th holes. The break proved invaluable, allowing him to reset and regroup. Speaking with his coach, Josh Gregory, on the range during the delay, Spaun was advised he was “trying too hard.”
“That break was actually the key for me to winning this tournament,” Spaun reflected later. “It just unraveled very fast [early on], but that break was actually the key.”
A Turnaround Fueled by Strategy
Upon returning to the waterlogged course, Spaun’s game dramatically improved. He identified flushing his tee shot on the ninth hole as the moment he knew he was back in contention. His strategy on the softened, wet course focused on hitting fairways, which allowed him to attack with his irons.
This renewed focus ignited a spectacular comeback on the back nine. After making five straight pars following his difficult start, Spaun drained a 40.5-foot birdie putt on the par-5 12th to move into a five-way tie for the lead. Another impressive 22-foot birdie putt on the par-4 14th propelled him into the outright lead at even par.
Dramatic Finish at the 72nd Hole
The tension mounted as Spaun reached the drivable par-4 17th hole level with Robert MacIntyre, who had already posted a strong 2-under 68 to finish at 1 over. Spaun unleashed a 309-yard drive, leaving himself just 17 feet for eagle. While his eagle attempt slid past, he calmly converted the 3.5-foot comeback putt for birdie, taking a one-stroke lead heading to the 18th.
Approaching the final hole, Spaun opted not to look at the scoreboard, wanting to avoid playing defensively. After hitting his tee shot down the right side, steady rain returned as he prepared for his approach. His second shot found the green, settling a remarkable 64.5 feet from the cup – potentially the longest putt made all week at Oakmont. Knowing the line partly from watching Viktor Hovland’s earlier putt, Spaun focused on making a good stroke.
The putt rolled true, dropping into the center of the cup for a championship-clinching birdie.
Victory Secured and Reactions
As the long putt disappeared, Spaun dropped his putter, raised his arms, and pumped his fist in disbelief. He shared emotional hugs with his caddie, Mark Carens, and later embraced his wife, Melody, and their two young daughters on the green. Winning his first major on Father’s Day added another layer of significance to the moment.
“I was just in shock, disbelief that it went in and it was over,” Spaun said of the final putt.
The dramatic finish drew amazed reactions from fellow competitors. England’s Tyrrell Hatton, who was talking to reporters nearby, exclaimed, “He’s holed it! Unbelievable. What a putt to win. That’s incredible.” Norway’s Viktor Hovland, who finished third, commented on Spaun’s remarkable comeback, saying, “After his start, it just looked like he was out of it immediately… I wasn’t expecting that.”
Context of a Career Milestone
This U.S. Open victory marks the pinnacle of Spaun’s professional career. It is his first major championship title and only his second PGA Tour win, following his triumph at the 2022 Valero Texas Open. The win is his first top-20 finish in a major and comes just three months after he lost in a playoff to Rory McIlroy at The Players Championship, an experience he credited with building confidence. The $4.3 million winner’s check represents the biggest payday of his career.
Spaun, a Los Angeles native and San Diego State alumnus, demonstrated incredible resilience throughout the week, starting with being the only player to post a bogey-free round on Thursday on the notoriously difficult Oakmont layout.
Playing through the difficult conditions, particularly the rain and standing water on Sunday, was a testament to Spaun’s grit and preparation. He relied on his equipment, outfitted in apparel and footwear from Puma Golf. Specifically, he highlighted the “incredible traction and stability” provided by his PUMA Ignite Elevate 2 Tour golf shoes, which he said were essential given the wet ground. He also wore items from Puma’s Mattr collection and a red, white, and blue polo from their Burgh collection, designed as a tribute to the host city of Pittsburgh.
As Australia’s Adam Scott put it, the conditions were “the hardest of the week” on Sunday at “one of the hardest setups.” Spaun’s ability to navigate this challenge better than anyone else ultimately made the difference.
How Contenders Faltered
While Spaun staged his comeback, several other golfers in contention struggled, particularly after the lengthy weather delay. 54-hole leader Sam Burns, who was 2 under and leading before the suspension, shot 8-over par after play resumed, carding a pair of double bogeys and ultimately finishing in a tie for seventh. Adam Scott also struggled late, dropping shots over his final five holes to fall back into a tie for 12th. Even Robert MacIntyre, despite his solid finish, came up just short.
In contrast to their late collapses, Spaun’s back-nine charge and historic final putt propelled him past the field, etching his name onto the U.S. Open trophy. He will next play the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands.
“I never thought I would be holding this trophy,” Spaun stated, visibly emotional after his win. “I’m proud I’ve been so resilient in my career.”
