In a stunning display of resilience and skill, former San Diego State University golfer J.J. Spaun claimed the 125th U.S. Open title on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the notoriously difficult Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. Battling not only the punishing course but also a fierce weather delay and personal challenges, Spaun emerged as the lone player to finish under par, securing his first major championship in what has been described as one of the most unlikely victories in recent golf history.
Spaun, a 34-year-old Los Angeles native who played for SDSU from 2009 to 2012, carded a final round 2-over-par 72 to finish at 1-under 279, beating runner-up Robert MacIntyre by two strokes. His victory marks the third major championship won by a former Aztec in the last six majors, joining Xander Schauffele, who took home two titles last season at the PGA Championship and The Open.
The final round was a rollercoaster for Spaun. He began with a shaky start, bogeying five of his first six holes and posting a front-nine 40, a feat no U.S. Open champion had ever done before starting a final round. His approach shot on the second hole hit the flagstick and bounced off the green, turning a likely birdie into a bogey. By the eighth hole, Spaun was 5-over par, seemingly out of contention. However, a 96-minute rain delay provided a crucial reset.
During the suspension of play, Oakmont's grounds crew battled to clear waterlogged fairways and greens, as relentless rain turned the course into a near water park. Conditions were so severe that balls often stopped dead on the wet fairways or splashed upon impact. Australian Adam Scott, who finished tied for 12th, described the conditions as "the hardest of the week." Despite the chaos, Spaun's short game coach Josh Gregory and full swing coach Adam Schriber delivered motivational pep talks, urging him to relax and play without regrets.
After play resumed, Spaun transformed his round. He made pars on holes 9 through 11 before launching a comeback with a 40-foot birdie on the par-5 12th hole. He added another birdie at the 14th, momentarily giving back a shot at 15, but maintained steady play as other contenders faltered in the wet conditions. On the 17th hole, Spaun unleashed a 314-yard drive, landing 17 feet past the pin, and confidently two-putted for birdie to seize the outright lead.
Then came the defining moment of the tournament: a 64-foot, 5-inch birdie putt on the 18th green — the longest putt made by anyone in the field during the tournament. With his caddie Mark Carens watching in disbelief, Spaun calmly holed the putt, sealing his two-stroke victory. "Are you serious? What the f--- just happened?" Carens exclaimed. Spaun's incredible finish made him only the fifth U.S. Open champion to close with back-to-back birdies in regulation and the second player in over 120 years to shoot 40-plus on the front nine and still win.
Spaun’s journey to this moment is a testament to perseverance. Before this tournament, he had only one PGA Tour victory — the 2022 Valero Texas Open — and had faced significant struggles, including missing 10 of 15 cuts in early 2024 and fearing he might lose his tour card. In March 2025, he lost a heartbreaking three-hole playoff to Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship, a moment that surprisingly emboldened him. "That made him believe I can be one of the best in the world," said his coach Josh Gregory.
Adding to the emotional weight of the day, Spaun's Father's Day began with a 3 a.m. run to CVS to care for his 23-month-old daughter Violet, who was suffering from a stomach bug. Despite the chaos at home, Spaun managed to focus on his game. "It was kind of a rough start to the morning. I'm not blaming that on my start, but it kind of fit the mold of what was going on, the chaos," Spaun reflected. His wife Melody and daughters Violet and Emerson were present to witness his historic putt on the 18th hole, sharing a touching moment as the family celebrated together.
Justin Hastings, another SDSU standout and the only amateur to make the cut, finished tied for 55th at +15, earning low amateur honors for the second consecutive major after the Masters. Hastings had an exceptional collegiate season, winning two tournaments and posting the second-best scoring average in SDSU history. His strong performance alongside Spaun's victory likely makes San Diego State the first college to boast both a U.S. Open champion and low amateur medalist in recorded history.
Spaun's triumph is a beacon of hope for underdogs everywhere. Not groomed through elite junior circuits or top academies, he steadily climbed the ranks through grit and determination. Now ranked eighth in the Official World Golf Ranking, Spaun is poised to make an impact on future Ryder Cup teams and beyond.
As the rain-soaked day gave way to evening, Spaun stood with the U.S. Open trophy, a symbol of resilience and unexpected glory. "I never thought I would be here holding this trophy," he said. "I always had aspirations and dreams. I never knew what my ceiling was. I'm just trying to be the best golfer I can be."
With the course's brutal conditions and Spaun's dramatic turnaround, the 2025 U.S. Open will be remembered not only for its weather but for the heart and determination of a champion who refused to give up.
