In one of the most improbable recoveries on a Sunday at a major tournament, JJ Spaun paid heed to the words of Tiger Woods to “keep sticking around” and not shooting for heroics. Spaun shot 40 on the front nine and was at one point 4 shots out of the lead. A timely rain delay allowed Spaun to regroup. And then he made a monster birdie putt on 12 after play resumed, followed by another on 14. He then drove the green on the 314 yard 17th and birdied. After striping his drive on the final 18th, 509 yard par 4, he sunk another monster putt–this one even longer at 67 feet–to clinch his first major victory.
Meanwhile, the final pairing of Sam Burns and Adam Scott wilted in the rain, shooting 8 and 9 over on the final day. That left only Robert MacIntyre with a realistic shot to win, after he finished at +1 with a final round -2.
But Spaun wouldn’t be denied with back to back birdies on 17 and 18. It was a Miracle at Oakmont.
Rain rained on the final 2 leader groups. Adam Scott was 8 over for the day (+5). Sam Burn was 7 over (+3). Viktor Hovland was a tad better at 3 over for the day (+2).
After the front nine at Oakmont, JJ Spaun was 5 over for the day, shooting a 40. At that point, he was the worst of the top 4 golfers starting the day.
But, in what may be the Miracle at Oakmont, JJ clawed his way back and then sunk a 64 footer on the par 4, 509 yard 18th hole for a walk-off first major victory.
It’s been a hot minute since Johnny Miller retired from broadcasting. But this week the U.S. Open reminded us of why Miller was the best analyst in the business. He retired in 2019 but no one comes close to his golf analysis.
At a press conference, Miller compared Scottie Scheffler’s swing path to Jack Nicklaus, as well as the right foot movement to Mark Calcavecchia and Greg Norman.
Take a listen.
The USGA brought in Johnny Miller and Jack Nicklaus, two former US Open champions at Oakmont, for an interview.
When asked about the keys to success at the demanding Oakmont, Miller, in his rare broadcasting form, used Bryson Dechambeau as an example of what doesn’t work at Oakmont.
Take a listen.