This week’s "The Starter" recaps the most dramatic finish in recent U.S. Open history. PGA professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG, breaking down J.J. Spaun's miraculous comeback at Oakmont Country Club.
The Putt That Changed Everything
J.J. Spaun stood over a 65-foot putt on Oakmont’s notorious 18th green, needing just two putts to claim his first major championship. The 34-year-old journeyman had already defied every reasonable expectation just to reach this moment—120-1 odds, zero previous U.S. Open cuts made, and never even a top-20 major finish.
What happened next will go down as one of the most stunning moments in U.S. Open history.
Spaun's putt tracked perfectly across 64 feet and 5 inches of Oakmont's treacherous green, gathering speed as it approached the hole. When it dropped, the Pennsylvania crowd erupted in disbelief. The longest successful putt of the entire championship had just sealed the most improbable major victory in years.
“Unbelievable. What a putt to win. That’s incredible,” said final-round contender Tyrrell Hatton.
“I’m sad about how I finished, but I’m very happy for J.J. To win a major in that fashion is amazing.”
From Five-Over to Champion
The final round had started as a complete disaster for Spaun, who entered Sunday just one shot behind leader Sam Burns. Five bogeys in his first six holes, including a brutal 5-over 40 on the front nine, appeared to end his championship hopes before they truly began.
Standing on the 10th tee at 5-over for the day, Spaun was seven shots behind the leaders and facing the kind of collapse that ends careers, not creates champions. The wet conditions at Oakmont made the already punishing course even more treacherous, and players were struggling throughout the field.
But something clicked on the back nine. Spaun played the final nine holes in 3-under 32, birdieing four holes while the rest of the field was simply trying to survive Oakmont's brutal examination.
The Shot That Won It
The turning point came at the drivable par-4 17th hole, where Spaun faced a critical decision. Playing conservatively would have been the percentage play, but trailing by one shot with two holes to play, Spaun knew he needed to be aggressive.
His driver on the 314-yard hole found the green, settling just 18 feet from the pin. The two-putt birdie moved him into the lead for the first time since Thursday’s opening round, setting up the dramatic finish on 18.
"That was probably the best shot I hit all week," Spaun reflected. "I knew I had to go for it. You don't get many chances to win majors."
MacIntyre's Heartbreak
While Spaun staged his comeback, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre had already posted what looked like a winning score in the clubhouse. MacIntyre’s 1-over-281 total came courtesy of steady play over four rounds, and he could only watch helplessly as the final groups battled the elements.
The 28-year-old Scot, who had his own compelling story of career struggles, came agonizingly close to his first major championship. His runner-up finish earned him $2.322 million, but the disappointment was evident.
Burns’ Collapse Continues Trend
Sunday’s final round also featured the continued struggles of Sam Burns, who entered as the 54-hole leader but couldn’t close the deal. Burns' 5-over final round included a devastating double bogey at the 15th hole that effectively ended his chances.
The collapse was reminiscent of Burns’ near-miss at the RBC Canadian Open just weeks earlier, where he fell in a playoff to Ryan Fox after leading late in the final round. For Burns, major championship success continues to prove elusive despite his five PGA Tour victories.
Historic Achievement
Spaun’s victory carried significant historical weight. He became just the fifth player in the past 100 years to win the U.S. Open after never previously making a U.S. Open cut. At 34, he also joined an exclusive group as the fifth-oldest player to win a major after never recording a top-20 major finish.
The statistical rarity of Spaun’s achievement cannot be overstated. Players simply don’t win majors without first showing they belong at that level, making his breakthrough all the more remarkable.
His previous best major finish was a tie for 47th at the 2019 PGA Championship, hardly the résumé of a major champion.
The Playoff Loss That Changed Everything
Spaun’s confidence heading into Oakmont traced back to his playoff loss to Rory McIlroy at THE PLAYERS Championship in March. While the defeat was crushing at the time, it provided invaluable experience competing under pressure on golf’s biggest stages.
Life-Changing Payday
The victory came with a life-changing winner’s check of $4.3 million from the $21.5 million purse, by far the largest payday of Spaun’s career. But beyond the financial reward, the win validated years of grinding through Monday qualifiers and battling self-doubt.
For every journeyman professional chasing the dream, Spaun’s triumph at Oakmont proved that persistence and belief can overcome even the longest odds. Sometimes the most improbable stories are the ones worth telling.
As Spaun held the trophy on Oakmont’s 18th green, the journey from five-over to forever was complete. Nine holes had changed everything, but the memories will last a lifetime.
