J.J. Spaun captured his first major title on June 15 at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, becoming the only player to finish under par with a 1-under total. His dramatic victory was sealed with a remarkable 64-foot birdie putt on the 18th green, completing a stunning comeback in a final round shaped by adversity — and a timely rain delay.
Spaun started Sunday’s round with five bogeys in his first six holes, putting his hopes in jeopardy. But just as his game faltered, a weather delay forced play to stop, giving him time to regroup. Speaking on the TODAY show two days later, Spaun called the pause in play “a gift from God,” noting its emotional significance. His caddie, Mark Carens, had lost his father exactly one year earlier on Father’s Day.
Spaun also recalled a similar experience during the 2025 Players Championship when a delay helped him recover after a rough start. This time, both he and Carens recognized the opportunity. “When that horn blew on the ninth tee, we looked at each other and said, ‘This is exactly what we needed,’” Spaun said. “We went back in, reset, and I came back out a different man.”
Carens added that the shift in energy was immediate. “He changed clothes, he changed everything,” he said.
When play resumed, Spaun’s game transformed. He delivered a strong back nine performance, recording four birdies. “I striped my tee shot on nine, which is one of the hardest ones. That calmed me down and helped me find the rhythm I needed,” he explained. “We just kept pushing, kept digging deep.”
Staying calm during his early struggles was also key. “You want to start well, but I didn’t,” Spaun said. “But it’s the U.S. Open — everyone faces tough stretches. My caddie helped me stay composed and focused on the back nine, where it all comes down to capitalizing.”
His U.S. Open triumph wasn’t the only challenge Spaun faced that weekend. Hours before the final round, his young daughter Violet became sick. “It was a rough early morning,” he said. “She started throwing up, maybe from a stomach bug or food poisoning at the tour day care.”
Spaun quickly switched into dad mode. “My wife woke me up around 3:30 a.m., trying to let me rest but needed help. I ran out to find supplies, but the hotel shop was closed. I ended up going to two different CVS stores to get what Violet needed.”
Despite the early chaos and a rough start on the course, Spaun’s composure and determination led him to a defining moment in his career. His long putt on 18 not only secured his first major title, but also capped off a day that tested him both as a golfer and as a father.
