Oakmont, Pennsylvania: JJ Spaun secured his first major golf title spectacularly at the 125th US Open Championship, defeating Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre by two strokes after sinking a dramatic 64-foot birdie putt across a rain-soaked 18th green at Oakmont Country Club.
Spaun, 34, described the moment as a dream come true: “Just to finish it off like that is just a dream. I’ll never forget this moment for the rest of my life.” He needed only a par to avoid a Monday playoff but went one better, ending the championship with a showstopping putt.
The Californian celebrated with a fist pump, hugged his caddie Mark Carens, and walked off the green with his two young daughters in tow on Father’s Day. “It was so cool to just have my whole family there,” Spaun said. “It’s just incredible.”
WHAT A PUTT!!!!
J.J. SPAUN WINS THE U.S. OPEN!!!! pic.twitter.com/EWdYQeDAzF
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 16, 2025
The victory helped erase the disappointment of his narrow playoff loss to Rory McIlroy at The Players Championship in March.
Spaun reached the par-4 17th tied with MacIntyre, who had finished earlier with a two-under 68. He then fired a 309-yard drive to within 17 feet of the pin. Though he missed the eagle attempt, he tapped in for birdie and headed to the 18th with the lead.
“I knew based off of what the crowd was saying that if I two-putted I would probably win,” Spaun said, “but I didn’t want to look [at the scoreboard]. I didn’t want to do anything dumb trying to protect a three-putt or something.”
The final round was chaotic, with a 96-minute weather delay caused by heavy rain. Grounds crews had to use squeegees to remove standing water from the greens and fairways before play resumed.
Viktor Hovland (73) finished third, three shots behind Spaun. Tied in fourth were Cameron Young (70), and LIV Golf players Tyrrell Hatton (72) and Carlos Ortiz (73). Sam Burns, who started the round with a one-shot lead over Spaun and Adam Scott, struggled to a 78 and fell five shots off the pace.
Twice major winner Jon Rahm posted a three-under 67, matching the day’s low round to finish five shots behind in a tie for seventh alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler (70) and Burns. Rory McIlroy also shot a 67 to reach seven over, showing signs of recovery after struggling since his career Grand Slam at the Masters.
“I just need to get myself in the right frame of mind,” said McIlroy, who now looks ahead to the British Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. “Getting home and having a couple of weeks off… hopefully feeling refreshed and rejuvenated will get me in the right place again.”
Spaun’s triumph not only delivered a career-defining moment but also underscored his arrival among golf’s elite, earning him a place in major championship history.
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