A waterlogged golf course didn’t stop the completion of US Open as JJ Spaun wins on Father’s Day
Sunday June 15th is a big day in a sporting calendar as it’s date for day four of 125th US Open in Pennsylvania.
Oakmont Country Club is a demanding par 70 which proved to be a battle due to rain, a lengthy weather delay and questionable playing conditions when play returned.
The field reduced by one player to 66 golfers for day four due to Corey Conners withdrawing, a second consecutive day of two balls with Sunday’s final group including -4 54 hole leader Sam Burns and -3 Adam Scott.
The first hole is an extremely long 493 yard par four and a sloppy iron shot by Scott resulted in an opening bogey.
Burns is extremely successful with his flatstick but unfortunately suffered his first three putt all week on par four second hole to return -3.
The other player that started Sunday -3 was JJ Spaun and got off to a rough beginning as he played holes one to six in +5.
Burns has experience of leading with this been his fifth 54 hole lead but looked nervous especially by playing his front nine in +3.
Burns -1 and level Scott were giving the chasing pack encouragement which +1 Tyrrell Hatton took advantage of due to a steady front nine.
Spaun brought himself back into contention due to an extraordinary long-range birdie putt on 640 yard 12th hole and a 35 foot putt two holes later proved to be crucial in drawing alongside level Hatton.
+3 Burns dream of winning a maiden major unfortunately dashed due to not getting relief on 15 for casual water and went on to record a disappointing closing 78.
“As bad as things were going, I just still tried to commit to every shot. I tried to continue to dig deep”, said Spaun.
Robert MacIntyre +3 managed to avoid carnage as he shot a stunning 68 which included an eagle to set a +1 clubhouse target.
The 17th hole is a drivable par four and proved to be the end of Hatton’s challenge due to a clumsy bogey. It looked like that this tournament would require a Monday play-off finish until Spaun stepped up on 17th hole and sensationally achieved a two-putt birdie to return level.
“Just to finish it off like that is just a dream”, said Spaun.
Spaun ended up been the only player to finish under par on -1 and a maiden major victory profited him $4.3 million.
This victory gives him multiple opportunities going forward as he is now up to eighth on World Golf Rankings and sixth in FedEx Cup standings.
Runner-up MacIntyre, third +2 Viktor Hovland and tied fourth +3 Hatton all earned much needed Europe Ryder Cup qualification points as all three are inside top 13 in standings.
+4 Scottie Scheffler achieved four birdies throughout his day four round but too many mistakes got in the way of a challenge but showed why he is world number one especially with not been on his game and still incredibly managed to finish tied seventh alongside Burns & Jon Rahm who finished Sunday with three excellent birdies in a row.
Rory McIlroy participated in all four rounds due to making halfway cut but started Sunday +10. “Yeah, it’s close, as I said. Physically I feel like my game’s there. It’s
just mentally getting myself in the right frame of mind to get the best out of myself”, said McIlroy.
McIlroy achieved six birdies which added up to a closing 67 and finished inside the top 20 on +7.
“I’m looking forward to just getting back to Europe,” said McIlroy. McIlroy will be looking to relight the flame at Genesis Scottish Open before attempting to win a second Open Championship.
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