Unheralded JJ Spaun sinks monster 20m putt to seal $6.5m US Open victory
yJJ Spaun turned a sloppy mess of a US Open at wet and nasty Oakmont into a thing of beauty at the end with two stunning shots that carried him to his first major championship.
First came his driver on the 287m 17th hole onto the green for a birdie that gave him the lead.
Then on the 18th, needing a maximum two putts from 20m to win, he finished this storybook week by holing the longest putt of anyone all tournament for birdie.
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Spaun celebrates sinking the winning putt. Getty
At 1-under, he was the only player to finish in red figures. It gave him a two-shot victory over Robert MacIntyre of Scotland.
And it made Spaun, the 36-year-old from California, a major champion in only his second US Open.
The rain that put Oakmont on the edge of being unplayable might have saved Spaun. One shot behind at the start of the day, he opened with five bogeys in six holes. And then came a rain delay that lasted well over an hour and a half.
After five-straight 5s to start his round - including a bogey after hitting the flagstick with his approach shot - Spaun recovered as so many others fell apart.
JJ Spaun sunk this epic putt to win the US Open. FOX Sports
"I don't think I did keep my composure, honestly, with all the breaks I was getting," he said.
"I was trying to just dig deep, hit some good shots coming in. But honestly, the weather delay we had ... kind of just changed the whole vibe for the day."
On the 18th, he and playing partner Viktor Hovland hit their approach shots right next to each other, with Hovland going first to give him a good read on the putt.
After watching Hovland's like a hawk, Spaun stepped up and delivered one of the most incredible moments in US Open history.
JJ Spaun celebrates with his wife and family. Getty
Spaun broke down crying as his putt dropped.
"It was just one of those moments in major championships ... fortunately it was my time," he said.
"I never thought I would be here holding this trophy. I've always had aspirations and dreams, but a few months ago, I never knew what my ceiling was I never knew how good I could be.
"I'm just proud that I've been resilient in my career and and pushed through a lot of things."
