Spaun Shocks Oakmont: 64-Foot Putt Seals Stunning US Open Victory In Rain-Soaked Thriller

As he stood on the ninth tee box amid a torrential downpour, it looked like J.J. Spaun had thrown away any hope of winning the 125th U.S. Open. Five bogeys in the first six holes had all but erased the memory of his flawless 66 on Thursday — a round he’d called the best golf of his life.

But in a twist worthy of golf legend, Spaun battled back through a flooded Oakmont Country Club, a fiercely crowded leaderboard, and relentless weather to snatch an unforgettable victory — capped by a breathtaking 64-foot putt that stunned the gallery and secured his first major title.

Collapse Turns Comeback

Playing in the penultimate group, Spaun appeared to be spiraling early on Sunday. His magic had seemingly disappeared — until the skies opened. A brutal rainstorm forced a halt in play lasting over 90 minutes, scattering fans and soaking the course.

When play resumed, Spaun returned a different man.

He steadied his game with three straight pars before draining birdie putts on the 12th and 14th holes, the latter giving him a one-shot lead. A bogey on 15 set up a dramatic five-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.

But Spaun saved his most electric moment for the 17th — a 308-yard drive that landed on the green and rolled to within 20 feet. He calmly two-putted for birdie to reclaim the lead.

Then came the ultimate climax. On the 18th green, needing a two-putt from 64 feet to win outright, Spaun rolled his ball down the slick slope... and watched it track perfectly into the cup. As it dropped, Spaun launched his putter into the air and let out a roar — the crowd erupted in disbelief.

Oakmont, known for breaking the best, had finally been conquered.

Weather Chaos Halts Final Round

The final round, traditionally held on Father’s Day Sunday, was disrupted by fierce weather. Just after 4 p.m. ET, Sam Burns and Adam Scott — locked in a gripping duel — were preparing to tee off on the par-3 eighth hole when officials sounded the horn.

Rain hammered Oakmont as dark clouds rolled in. Thousands of spectators scrambled for cover, many caught in the open without shelter. The most affected were fans following the final pairing, far from safety or shade.

Before the delay, both Burns and Scott had already faced early challenges. Scott bogeyed the first and third but recovered with a birdie on the fourth. Burns also stumbled early but managed to regain a slim lead. The contest was intense and evenly matched — until the skies opened.

Once the rain subsided and play resumed, course crews worked frantically to clear standing water. Players returned to warm up, hoping to finish one of the most grueling U.S. Opens in recent memory.

Oakmont Bites Back After Restart

When action resumed, Oakmont wasted no time showing its bite. Scott bogeyed the eighth, and both he and Burns mishit their tee shots on the ninth. Burns lost a stroke, and the course — already a brutal test — turned nightmarish in the rain-soaked conditions. Softened greens slowed putts, and wet rough clung to clubfaces like vines.

Burns managed a birdie on 10 to momentarily extend his lead, but the course struck back on 11. Burns double-bogeyed after an errant chip and a nightmare on the green. Scott bogeyed. Suddenly, the title race opened wide.

A Five-Way Tie and a War of Wills

Carlos Ortiz, Tyrrell Hatton, and Spaun all surged to tie for the lead at 1-over. Ortiz, in only his 10th major, looked confident. Hatton birdied the 13th, while Spaun drained a 40-foot bomb on the 12th to rejoin the fray. Burns, meanwhile, began to unravel. His approach on 12 left him shaking his head, and a missed par putt created a dramatic five-way tie.

Spaun took control again with a beautiful 22-foot birdie putt on 14. Scott’s bogey on the same hole dropped him two shots back, while Burns missed a chance to tie with a seven-foot birdie putt.

Robert MacIntyre, a few groups ahead, added his name to the list with a birdie on 17 and a composed par on 18, entering the clubhouse at 1-over.

Hatton’s title hopes ended on the 17th when his tee shot found the rough near a bunker, triggering a chain of mishits that led to a costly bogey. Ortiz faded with a double bogey on 15.

Burns and Scott’s push officially ended on the 16th. Scott made his first double of the day, and Burns bogeyed — victims of Oakmont's relentlessness after the restart. Burns had five bogeys or worse in the final stretch, Scott not far behind.

One Shot, One Champion

Then came Spaun’s championship moment.

On the drivable par-4 17th, where many had faltered, Spaun went bold. His 309-yard drive rolled to within 18 feet for eagle. Though the eagle putt just missed, he tapped in for birdie to take a one-shot lead.

On the 18th, he found the fairway, then dropped a 190-yard approach shot onto the green. Needing two putts from 64 feet to win, he needed only one.

As the rain poured, Spaun stood tall. The putt rolled true — 64 feet, 5 inches of perfect pace and line — and dropped.

With it, so did jaws around the world.

J.J. Spaun, the man who looked finished just hours earlier, had delivered one of the most dramatic final rounds in U.S. Open history.