On a drama-filled final day at the notoriously unforgiving Oakmont Country Club, American golfer JJ Spaun rose above chaos, torrential rain, and elite competition to claim his maiden major title at the US Open. In a tournament where the world’s best were humbled by brutal conditions, Spaun delivered one of the most memorable finishes in recent history, holing a miraculous 64-foot birdie putt on the 18th to finish one under par and take home the trophy.
For Australian fans familiar with Oakmont’s fearsome reputation, the result was a reminder of how golf can test not just talent but temperament. Former Aussie cricketer and golf enthusiast Mel Jones summed it up nicely: “What we saw today wasn’t just skill – it was grit under pressure.”
Final Leaderboard Highlights
- -1 JJ Spaun (USA)
- +1 Robert MacIntyre (Scotland)
- +2 Viktor Hovland (Norway)
- +3 Tyrrell Hatton (England), Cameron Young (USA), Carlos Ortiz (Mexico)
- +4 Sam Burns (USA), Scottie Scheffler (USA), Jon Rahm (Spain)
- +5 Ben Griffin (USA), Russell Henley (USA)
Notable Others:
+6 Adam Scott (Australia), Xander Schauffele (USA), Brooks Koepka (USA)
+7 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland)
+8 Matt Wallace (England), Jordan Spieth (USA)
+9 Aaron Rai (England)
+11 Matt Fitzpatrick (England)
+15 Laurie Canter (England)
Spaun’s Comeback Seals It in Style
At 34, JJ Spaun was hardly the favourite going into the final day, starting one shot behind Sam Burns. But Oakmont had plans to rewrite the script. With a 90-minute rain delay causing havoc and many contenders faltering under the pressure, Spaun’s performance stood out—not because it was flawless, but because of how he bounced back from adversity.
He bogeyed five of his first six holes, including a bizarre moment where his ball hit the flagstick and rolled nearly 50 yards away, followed by another mishap where it deflected off a rake. It looked like his major dreams were sinking fast.
But then came the rain delay—a much-needed mental reset. When play resumed, Spaun was a different man. He crafted a brilliant back nine, carding birdies at the 13th and 14th with long-range putts. A bogey on the 15th threatened to undo the good work, but Spaun wasn’t done yet. At the short par-4 17th, he landed a tee shot onto the green and drained the birdie to get to level par. Then came the magic—a sensational 64-foot birdie putt at the last, sparking wild celebrations and an emotional embrace with his caddie.
Spaun became the only player to finish the tournament under par—an incredible achievement considering the punishing layout and conditions at Oakmont. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “A few months ago, I didn’t even know where my ceiling was. I never imagined holding this trophy, but I leaned on experience, and it carried me through.”
MacIntyre’s Brilliance Comes Up Just Short
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, who watched Spaun’s clinching putt on a nearby TV screen, could only applaud in disbelief, mouthing “wow” in a gracious gesture that captured the spirit of sportsmanship.
MacIntyre had started the day seven shots off the lead and was outside the top ten. After bogeying two of his first three holes, things looked grim. But the Oban native turned things around in remarkable fashion. A 60-foot eagle on the fourth breathed life into his round, and he followed up with birdies on the 9th, 14th, and 17th to shoot a two-under 68—one of the best rounds of the day.
His final score of one-over-par was good enough for solo second and will undoubtedly boost his hopes of automatic qualification for Team Europe in the upcoming Ryder Cup. Speaking afterward, MacIntyre said, “Having a chance to win a major is something I dreamed of as a kid. I came close, and I’m proud of how I fought back.”
Hatton’s Heartbreak, Aussies Falter
England’s Tyrrell Hatton was also in the mix deep into the final round. He was steady through 16 holes, but a cruel lie in thick rough on the 17th led to a bogey. Another dropped shot at the last sealed a frustrating finish, leaving him at three over par and visibly upset.
“What happened on 17 is going to hurt for a long time,” he admitted. “I felt I had the momentum, but a bit of bad luck took it away. That’s golf sometimes.”
Australia’s hopes rested on Adam Scott, who had shown glimpses of his best earlier in the tournament. However, the veteran Aussie struggled in the wet final round, carding a nine-over 79 to finish at six over par. Despite the tough outing, Scott remains focused on the bigger picture, especially with The Open Championship at Royal Portrush just weeks away.
Other Standouts and Aussie Interest
World number one Scottie Scheffler never truly got into contention, finishing at four over. Spain’s Jon Rahm and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy both posted impressive final-round 67s—equal best of the day—to finish at four and seven over respectively. While neither contended for the title, their strong finishes will serve as good momentum builders for the rest of the season.
For Aussie fans, Oakmont was a reminder of just how fine the margins are at golf’s elite level. Scott’s experience at the US Open may well fuel his campaign at The Open, where he’s long been considered a contender. Meanwhile, Min Woo Lee and Cameron Smith were absent this year but will be names to watch in upcoming majors.
The Takeaway
JJ Spaun’s US Open triumph is more than a personal victory—it’s a celebration of resilience in a sport that often punishes rather than rewards. His journey from early disaster to final-round glory shows that in golf, belief and timing can be just as important as pure talent.
For Robert MacIntyre, it was a case of so near yet so far. But his rise up the leaderboard proves he belongs among golf’s elite. And for players like Hatton and Scott, there were lessons learned the hard way, lessons they’ll be taking into Portrush and beyond.
In one of the wildest finishes in recent major memory, Spaun stood tallest—against the weather, against the field, and against the odds.
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Mitchell
Mitchell is a seasoned Ph.D. scholar with extensive expertise gained through years of rigorous research, publication, and teaching experience. He brings a wealth of knowledge and analytical skills to tackle complex academic challenges. His work is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions, advancing knowledge, and promoting academic excellence. Proficient in research methodology, data analysis, and scholarly writing, Mitchell has contributed to peer-reviewed journals and mentored students to achieve academic success.
