JJ Spaun, the new champion, had quite the chaotic experience before clinching his first major victory on Sunday.
After finishing a roller coaster final round, he talked to the media at Oakmont, noting that he had five bogeys on the front nine, yet managed to pull together a 1-under par total by the end.
“This morning, I was dashing to CVS because my daughter was sick and had been throwing up all night,” Spaun shared, mentioning his daughters, Emerson and Violet, with his wife Melody.
It was a particularly hectic morning for Spaun. With a difficult start, he shot 50 over 40 in the first nine holes, facing a notable mishap at the second hole when his ball hit the flagstick and ricocheted 50 yards away.
Despite the challenges, as he approached the 18th hole with a one-shot lead alongside Robert McIntyre, Spaun sank an impressive 64-foot putt on a challenging green, sealing his win at the 125th US Open with Melody and their daughters cheering him on.
The family shared a touching moment with hugs on the 18th green, making it a memorable Father’s Day celebration.
“Seeing my girls there was really special,” Spaun reflected afterward. “My oldest was at Valero when I won back then, close to the age of my youngest now. It felt amazing to have my entire family with me on Father’s Day. Just incredible.”
This victory marked Spaun’s first major win since the Valero Texas Open in April 2022.
