American J.J. Spaun won the US Open, men’s golf’s third major of the year and took home the $US4.3 million ($AU6.63 million) prize that comes with the title.
Beginning the day one shot behind leader Sam Burns, Spaun hit a bogey (one over par) on five of the first six holes before holding his nerve on the notoriously difficult Oakmont course in Pennsylvania to claim his second victory on the PGA Tour and first major title.
What happened
Spaun hit a birdie on the 17th hole to take the lead from Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, who had already finished his round, by one shot.
Needing a par, Spaun played the final hole to perfection. He drove the ball straight down the middle of the fairway, found the green on his second and then drained an astonishing 65-foot putt to birdie the hole, seal victory, and etch his name into history.
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Norway’s Viktor Hovland finished third, one shot behind MacIntyre.
Spaun is a relative newcomer to golf’s limelight. He started the year outside the top 100, and his best finish in a major before this week was tied for 23rd. Earlier this year, the 34-year-old went to a playoff with world number two Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship (golf’s unofficial fifth major) and lost.
Australian Adam Scott had a share of the lead several times throughout the final day but was let down by his final nine holes and finished tied for 12th. It was the Aussie’s 96th consecutive major as he looked to add to his one major victory at the 2013 Masters.
What they said
Spaun said: “I never thought I would be here holding this trophy. I never knew what my ceiling was, I never knew how good I could be. I’m so proud I have been resilient.”
