J.J. Spaun celebrates after the winning putt
This year’s U.S. Open is officially in the books, with the revered and ruthless Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania humbling the world’s finest players at the 125th edition of the prestigious Major, held from June 12-15. With only one player finishing under par for the tournament, a cutline at 7-over 147, and punishing conditions exacerbated by a rain-soaked final round, Oakmont lived up to its reputation as one of golf’s toughest challenges.
Amid the carnage, 34-year-old American J.J. Spaun, who was ranked 25th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) in the week leading up to the U.S. Open, emerged as the unlikely champion, against pre-tournament odds of winning. He was the only player in the field with a winning sub-par total score at 1-under 279, claiming his first Major title with a dramatic 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole. Spaun netted $4.3 million, which singularly surpassed his highest-ever PGA TOUR annual earnings of $3 million in 2023.
Spaun’s winning 64-foot putt joins golf’s pantheon of iconic moments, drawing praise from peers like runner-up Robert MacIntyre, who was visibly awed by the putt.
Spaun with the historic U.S. Open Trophy
Oakmont, hosting its 10th U.S. Open, presented a 7,370-yard, par-70 layout with only two par-5s—both stretching around 630 yards—175 penal bunkers, and thick, matted rough framing narrow fairways and lightning-fast greens running at a stimpmeter speed of 14. The 36-hole cut at 7-over 147 eliminated top players like defending champion Bryson DeChambeau (10-over 150) and Dustin Johnson (10-over 150), the 2016 U.S Open Oakmont winner.
Maintenance workers use towels to soak up water during Sunday’s weather suspension
The final round, marred by a 96-minute rain delay, saw waterlogged conditions amplify the challenge, with former World No. 1 Adam Scott of Australia shooting a 9-over 79 to crash out of contention, and 5-time PGA TOUR winner Sam Burns an 8-over 78. Oakmont’s greens, described as “borderline unplayable” by Scott, rejected imprecise shots, while the rough ensnared wayward drives, making par a premium score. 66 players made the cut, and the field’s average final-round score soared as conditions deteriorated.
Spaun with his daughters, Violet and Emerson, in the scoring area
J.J. Spaun, entering the week with just one PGA TOUR win—the 2022 Valero Texas Open—and a modest No. 96 in the 2024 PGA TOUR Rankings, was far from a favorite. His odds placed him well outside the top-30 contenders, trailing names like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Sam Burns. Yet, Spaun’s resilience, honed through near-retirement contemplations and a playoff loss to McIlroy at THE PLAYERS Championship in March this year, propelled him to glory. Spaun has now secured exemptions into the U.S. Open through 2035, the next five editions of the other Majors, and PGA TOUR membership through 2030.
Adam Scott, who was one shot back at the start of the final round and tied for the lead with five holes left, played the final five in 5-over for a 9-over 79, dropping to T-12 at 6-over 286. Scott, at 44, missed a chance to become the oldest U.S. Open champion since Hale Irwin in 1990.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler recorded his fourth Top 10 in the last five U.S. Opens with a Tied-7th finish at 4-over 284. Scheffler has now finished in the Top 10 in 14 of his last 18 major starts overall.
Spaun’s victory, on Father’s Day, resonated deeply as the father of two young daughters. He has now jumped to 8th in the OWGR and 6th in the FedExCup Rankings, gaining traction for his Ryder Cup candidacy.
The Open Championship Awaits
The golfing world now turns its gaze to the 153rd Open Championship, the final Major of this year, set for July 17-20 at the storied Dunluce Links of Royal Portrush. Having hosted The Open only twice before—in 1951 and 2019, when Shane Lowry claimed a triumphant victory—the iconic Northern Irish links returns six years later.