The 125th U.S. Open

Always promising theatrics and dramatics, Oakmont Country Club served up a taxing weekend for those competing in the 125^th U.S. Open.

With players who veered away from the fairway struggling to escape cleanly from the thick, punishing rough, the midway cut fell on 7-over-par. Some of the big names who missed the cut included Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, and Ludvig Åberg. With a lot of players bunched together near the hot end of the leaderboard on the final round, it was anyone’s guess who’d break from the pack and secure the win.

Early in the final Sunday back-9 holes, the lead was shared by 5 players, Sam Burns, Carlos Ortiz, Adam Scott, Tyrrell Hatton, and J.J. Spaun. Having made 5 bogeys within his opening 6 holes, Spaun proceeded to turn his Sunday around with birdies on the 12^th and 14^th. He took the outright lead with another birdie on the 17^th having driven the green.

On the 18^th green, Spaun had the ideal viewpoint of watching his playing partner Viktor Hovland putt before him from near enough the same position. The wind and the rain weren’t enough to deter him from going for the hole on the undulating green, and he miraculously struck a 65-foot birdie putt just right to have it trickle into the hole. Both Spaun and the spectators were immediately ecstatic.

Having just one PGA Tour win to his name, Spaun may not have been the favourite to win this weekend, but he certainly proved he deserved it. Another testament to how difficult Oakmont was playing for the field was that the victor was the only player to have finished with a score below par.

Spaun is also no stranger to feeling the pressure on challenging golf courses. He notoriously lost his playoff to Rory McIlroy at this year’s Players Championship when he found the water on Sawgrass’ treacherous par-3 17^th island green.

He was decidedly stoic when it came to battling the pressure at the year’s third major, and he credited his win largely to keeping a cool head “There was no faking, there was no hiding since Thursday. I think that’s what I’ve been able to overcome. I’m not trying to shy away from the moment. Like I just tell myself, if I can do this when there’s no pressure or no lead, like why can’t I do it when there is?”

With the U.S. Open now all wrapped up we’re eager to see how the best in the world perform at Royal Portrush. Who do you think will win The Open next month? We’re available in the pro shop as usual this week should you require our assistance.