JJ Spaun makes US Open 2025 miracle, pockets 112 billion VND

Highlights of round 4 of the 2025 US Open. Source: USGA

Glory JJ Spaun

Whatever happens in 2025, JJ Spaun has been golf's breakout figure this year: the unlikely and unlikely champion of the US Open .

For some, the 34-year-old's victory had been foreshadowed since May, when he lost to Rory McIlroy in a penalty shootout to win The Players Championship.

At the time, many stars didn’t take him seriously. His starting point wasn’t easy: in 2014, Spaun started out on the Canadian Tour and earned less than $800 in prize money.

Now, at 34, just before the moment of deciding his first major title, he still remembers the dark times, when he thought he would give up professional golf many times.

Imago - Spaun US Open.jpg — A worthy reward for Spaun. Photo: Imago

In a golf world where there has been almost no room for surprises at majors for nearly a decade, Spaun made history, the first time since Danny Willett won The Masters in 2016.

He overcame the rain and nasty weather, beat the world's best golfers and the toughest course on the planet – Oakmont.

Four golfers shared the lead at +1 with four holes remaining. Adam Scott made two bogeys at holes 13 and 14. Sam Burns, the most consistent golfer in the tournament, was the next to leave the game after a double bogey at hole 15.

Burns was unhappy when the referee refused to let him drop the ball due to water in the fairway.

Next up was Tyrrell Hatton, who struggled in the rough on the 17th and bogeyed the course's best birdie opportunity.

Image Images - JJ Spaun US Open.jpg — Spaun throws his bat in celebration of victory. Photo: Imagn Images

Explosion in the rain

Robert MacIntyre, a Scot, birdied the 17th hole to reach +1, dreaming of becoming the first left-handed champion at the US Open – the only major tournament that has never been won by a left-hander.

But JJ Spaun, entering the final two holes with a +1 score, made what was considered the best drive of his career on hole 17. His par 4 tee shot flew across the flag, and after two putts, he birdied to take the lead with even par.

Spaun's 19-meter putt and winning moment. Source: USGA

On the 18th hole, nerves may have been Spaun’s worst enemy. Still, he hit his tee shot into the fairway, then used a 6-iron to hit it 180 yards to the green – 19 yards from the hole.

Two putts would have been enough, but that was no easy task in the rain. Surprisingly, Spaun's first putt was perfectly weighted, down to the physical details, and rolled the ball straight into the hole.

The birdie was exhilarating and sent the crowd on the 18th hole erupting in chants of “USA, USA,” as an early salute to the 2025 Ryder Cup in Bethpage (taking place in September).

US Open - JJ Spaun US Open 2025.jpg — Spaun's first Major and second PGA Tour title. Photo: US Open

Spaun couldn't contain his emotions as he hugged his wife and two young daughters. With a score of -1, he was the only one to score a negative score and became the US Open champion.

Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy both shot 67s – the best round of the final day. All of this only added to the glory of Spaun – who received $4.3 million (over 112 billion VND), out of a $21.5 million prize fund.

With 70 strokes, Scottie Scheffler still showed his dominant form, but unfortunately he missed too many birdie opportunities on the difficult greens of Oakmont course.

Now, golfers prepare for the final major of the year in a month: The Open Championship, the world's oldest golf tournament at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland.