US Open: J.J. Spaun denies Robert MacIntyre in Oakmont epic

JJ Spaun. US Open champion. The American conjured up a scarcely believable birdie-birdie finish in a stunning back-nine revival to snatch his first major title at a soaked Oakmont Country Club.

An incredible 65-foot putt on the 18th denied Robert MacIntyre, who’s own almighty display of Scottish grit had put the Oban man in the clubhouse lead on one of the most dramatic major days in memory.

All this drama on a weather-delayed final round came after a nightmare start for Spaun, punctuated by a handful of bad breaks, that had seemingly ended his hopes of contending.

Spaun made five bogeys in his first six holes and played his front-nine in 40 shots. But after a 90-minute suspension for torrential rain, and in saturated surroundings upon his return, the Californian embraced the carnage that ensued.

He birdied four of his final seven holes in the brutal conditions to emerge from a jaded pack, including a stunning three on 17 after an arrow straight drive left him putting for eagle.

Then the moment that will change his life forever.

When two putts would have sufficed amidst untold pressure, Spaun drained a long, winding effort on the last hole to break MacIntre’s heart and send the sodden Pittsburgh crowd into hysteria.

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“About eight feet out, I kind of went up to the high side to see if it had a chance of going in,” a beaming Spaun said afterwards, “and it was like going right in. I was just in shock, disbelief that it went in and it was over.”

But what about that torrid start? How did he even comprehend – never mind muster – such a monumental comeback to glory?

“As bad as things were going, I just still tried to just commit to every shot,” Spaun said. “I tried to just continue to dig deep. I’ve been doing it my whole life.

“I think that’s been the biggest difference this year has been being able to do that. Fortunately, I dug very deep on the back nine, and things went my way, and here we are with the trophy.

“It’s definitely like a storybook, fairytale ending, kind of underdog fighting back, not giving up, never quitting. With the rain and everything and then the putt, I mean, you couldn’t write a better story. I’m just so fortunate to be on the receiving end of that.”

Spaun immediately jumps from 25th to seventh in the world rankings and is now almost certain to be part of Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup team. Talk about a breakthrough victory.

MacIntyre, meanwhile, can only be proud of his colossal challenge and one can assume his time will come. The only player among the contenders to break par in the final round, MacIntyre closed with a sensational two-under 68 to follow up Saturday’s 69 and come oh so close.

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For the other protagonists in this ultimate war of attrition though, there will be battle scars.

Tyrrell Hatton, looking poised in a brief share of the lead late on, took three shots to get out of the rough on the driveable 17th and wound up with a bogey-bogey finish. He shared fourth with American Cameron Young and Mexican Carlos Ortiz.

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Viktor Hovland was one stroke ahead in third, but unlike Spaun, the Norwegian was derailed by a costly start.

Overnight leader Sam Burns and Adam Scott, meanwhile, had Sunday horror shows. Burns unravelled after controversially being denied a drop in standing water on the brutish 15th, while Scott painfully drifted down the leaderboard with a desperate 79.

The magic, in the end, though, came from an unfancied but inspired Californian.

“To finish it off like that is just a dream,” Spaun said of his now eternal moment. “You watch other people do it. You see the Tiger chip, you see Nick Taylor’s putt, you see crazy moments.

“To have my own moment like that at this championship, I’ll never forget this moment for the rest of my life.”

Ben Parsons is the Senior Writer at bunkered and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.