Overview
The 125th U.S. Open took place from June 12–15, 2025, at historic Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Run by the USGA, the prestigious tournament featured 156 of the world’s top golfers competing over four days on a demanding par‑70, 7,349‑yard course
Round 1: Spaun Takes the Lead
J.J. Spaun shocked everyone with a great opening round of 66 (–4), which was the lowest score of the day and the only round under 67 on a very hard Oakmont.
He made six birdies and two bogeys, which is very impressive. Rory McIlroy shot a 72, and Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one player, had a hard time staying even.
Spaun’s iron play was spot on, and his 28-foot birdie on the 16th hole gave him a three-shot lead going into the night. Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland were two of the few players who shot under par, with MacIntyre three shots behind and Hovland four shots behind.
Round 2: Oakmont Bites Back
Spaun cooled off in Round 2 with a 72 (+2), but it was still good enough to stay tied for the lead going into the weekend. The wind picked up, and scores went up all over the place.
In the afternoon wave, Tyrrell Hatton and Carlos Ortiz both shot even par, putting them in the running.
Jon Rahm, on the other hand, made the cut at +3 after a tough 69 after a 74. Amateur Justin Hastings also made news when he made the cut after a clutch birdie at 18.
He was the only amateur to make it through the tough two-day stretch.
Round 3: A Day to Move Stalemate
Saturday was cooler, but it didn’t help much. Only a few players broke par, but Cameron Young shot a 68 (–2) to join the leaders. Spaun shot a calm 69 (–1), coming back from a double-bogey on hole 2 by going 3-under on the back nine.
MacIntyre stayed in the lead with a score of 70, while Viktor Hovland quietly moved up to the top three. Sam Burns and Scottie Scheffler both shot 70s to stay in the hunt, but they didn’t take advantage of chances to score.
As the field tightened, the leaderboard showed eight players within four shots of the lead.
Final Round: The Moment That Changed Spaun’s Career
Spaun was in the lead by a small amount on Sunday morning, but play was stopped for 95 minutes because of heavy rain that made the course softer.
Conditions changed a lot: the greens slowed down and the fairways lost their rollout. MacIntyre got a birdie on the fourth hole and took the lead by one shot after nine holes.
But Spaun fought back with birdies on holes 13 and 15, taking the lead again as they headed into the final stretch. Spaun had a 64-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, and MacIntyre watched from the clubhouse.
He made it, which drove the crowd wild and gave him a one-stroke win at –1 overall. It was the only score below par of the week and Spaun’s first big win.
Tournament Context & Event Info
- Course setup: Oakmont’s narrow fairways, deep rough, and lightning-fast greens lived up to its reputation as one of golf’s most punishing venues
- Field composition: Entry included top-ranked players and qualifiers—from Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy to amateur Justin Hastings, the lone non-professional to make the cut
- Weather disruption: Heavy rain on final day halted play for 95 minutes, reshaping course conditions into a wetter, more unpredictable challenge .
Key Players & Background
J.J. Spaun (Champion)
- A 34-year-old Californian and former college walk-on with only one prior PGA Tour victory. He led the first round (66) and clocked rounds of 72, 69, and 72 to finish at 279 (–1), becoming the only player under par for the week
- Spaun clinched his first major with a dramatic 64‑foot birdie putt on 18 after a back-nine charge, completing one of the most memorable comebacks in recent major history
Robert MacIntyre (Runner-up)
- The Scottish star parred under difficult conditions to finish +1 (281), chasing Spaun to the final hole but falling just short .
Contenders
- Viktor Hovland (+2): Consistent play earned him solo third place
- Tyrrell Hatton, Carlos Ortiz, Cameron Young (+3) tied for fourth.
- Sam Burns, Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler (+4) tied for seventh amid late collapses
Implications for the Sport
- Underdog success: Spaun’s breakthrough highlights the depth of talent beyond superstar ranks and offers fresh inspiration in major golf narratives .
- Positional shift: Spaun secures a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, reinforcing his rising stature .
- Course design vindicated: Oakmont’s brutal setup and weather challenges reaffirm the U.S. Open’s reputation as golf’s ultimate test
Fan & Media Reactions
- Broadcast moments: The NBC downtime rerun of Tiger Woods’ iconic 2008 win drew unexpectedly strong fan nostalgia, with many preferring it over present coverage
- Course challenge opinions: Fans divided—some criticized Oakmont as “soulless,” while purists praised its integrity as a championship test
- Viral reaction: Social media erupted over weather delays, underdog triumphs, and the broadcast’s tone .
Final Leaderboard (Top 10)
| Pos | Player | Score | Par | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | J.J. Spaun | 66‑72‑69‑72 | 279 (–1) | $4,300,000 |
| 2 | Robert MacIntyre | +1 | 281 | $2,322,000 |
| 3 | Viktor Hovland | +2 | 282 | $1,462,525 |
| T4 | Tyrrell Hatton | +3 | 283 | $878,815 |
| Carlos Ortiz | +3 | 283 | same | |
| Cameron Young | +3 | 283 | same | |
| T7 | Sam Burns | +4 | 284 | $615,786 |
| Jon Rahm | +4 | 284 | same | |
| Scottie Scheffler | +4 | 284 | same | |
| 10 | Ben Griffin | +5 | 285 | $486,031 |
| Russell Henley | +5 | 285 | same |
Conclusion
J.J. Spaun’s ability to bounce back and perform well under pressure helped him win the U.S. Open, turning a bad situation into a good one. Fans and the media had a mix of nostalgia, criticism, and admiration for Oakmont, which added to its reputation as a tough place to prove yourself.
This championship changes what people expect, brings new stars to the forefront, and shows how exciting and unpredictable major golf can be.
