Credited from: CBSNEWS
J.J. Spaun captured his first major title at the U.S. Open, held at Oakmont Country Club amid challenging wet conditions. He finished one-under par at 279, becoming the only player under par and securing a two-shot victory over Robert MacIntyre from Scotland. Spaun's win was characterized by a remarkable birdie putt on the 18th hole, where he holed a 64-foot shot, leading to emotional celebrations on Father's Day with his daughters, according to latimes, cbsnews, and reuters.
After starting the final round one shot behind, Spaun faced a rough beginning with five bogeys in the first six holes, but a rain delay allowed him to regroup. He later hit a stunning drive on the 17th, which moved him into the lead. Spaun described his championship journey as a "storybook" finish, indicative of his resilience given the tournament's demanding conditions, according to latimes, cbsnews, and reuters.
The tournament saw adverse weather conditions, leading to notable interruptions, including a significant 96-minute rain delay that impacted play. Despite the challenging circumstances, Spaun’s victory showcases his ability to outperform under pressure, especially after a previous close loss at The Players Championship three months earlier, where he gained valuable confidence competing with top players, according to latimes, cbsnews, and reuters.