JJ strikes like lightning

Spaun weathers the storm at US Open

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During a less-than-fruitful 2024 season, JJ Spaun wondered if he should call it a career if he failed to keep his PGA Tour card.

He could have called it a week on Sunday when he bogeyed five of his first six holes at the US Open, dropping behind several more accomplished golfers on the leaderboard before a 96-minute weather delay. In both cases, Spaun rejected the idea of quitting.

Then, amid a Pittsburgh summer storm, came the lightning strike.

Spaun sank an improbable 64½-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to cap his stunning first major victory, emerging from the pack in the wild, waterlogged final round of the US Open on Sunday at Oakmont Country Club.

He finished the round birdie-birdie to card a 2-over 72 and finish the week 1-under-par 279, two shots better than Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre (final-round 68).

“just felt like you keep putting yourself in these positions, like eventually you're going to tick one off,’ Spaun said. “.. But all the close calls that I've had on the PGA Tour this year has just been really good experience to just never, never give up”