June 16, 2025 – Oakmont, PA — Golf’s most dramatic comeback unfolded at Oakmont as 34-year-old J.J. Spaun captured his first major title—becoming the only player to finish under par (−1)—with a stunning 64-foot birdie on the 18th hole, erasing early-round mistakes and a 95-minute rain delay to earn victory by two.
From Early Disaster to Legend-Making Birdies
- Spaun stumbled out of the gate with five bogeys over six holes, carding a front-nine 40, while leader Sam Burns edged away.
- A crucial weather delay reset his round, sparking a stunning turn of events as he fired 32 on the back nine—pinpointed by consecutive birdies on 17 and 18.
- Oakmont, regarded as one of golf’s toughest tests, yielded just one under-par finish—with Spaun’s resilience written in putting glory.
The Putt Heard Around Golf
- His final heroics—snaking a rare 64-foot bomb—was described as “Michael Jordan–Kobe Bryant” level drama.
- Spaun admitted it still felt surreal: “a storybook, fairytale ending… you couldn’t write a better story.”
- Fellow competitor Hovland helped with the line preview before Spaun calmly “buried the bomb,” delivering one of golf’s most unforgettable finishes.
A Defining Win & Career Turning Point
- Prior struggles loomed: ranked 164th in the world last year, battling type‑1 diabetes, and nearly quitting the tour.
- He now vaults to 8th in the world rankings—leaping from 28th—while solidifying his status as golf’s newest underdog inspiration.
- This milestone was years in the making—Spaun’s near miss at The Players Championship in March set the groundwork for belief and breakthrough.
Next Chapter: From Winner’s Circle to New Horizons
| Event | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Travelers Championship | June 19–22, Cromwell, CT |
| Media whirlwind | Media tour, NYC press events |
| Family celebrations | Still soaking it in—Spaun admitted he’s “in the clouds” |
In summary: J.J. Spaun’s U.S. Open victory is more than a title—it’s a testament to grit, optimism, and clutch performance under pressure. His walk-off putt didn’t just win a major; it rewrote the narrative on perseverance and possibility in modern golf.
Information from The New York Times’ articles on Spaun’s win and putt, Reuters’ summary of the final round, People.com’s emotional victory reaction, Washington Post’s finish analysis, Golfweek’s tee-time strategy insights, and NBC Sports’ quotes on the final putt was used in this article.
