“Is J.J. Spaun Golf’s Next Great Cinderella Story?”
In one of golf’s most unforgettable underdog stories, J.J. Spaun captured the 125th U.S. Open title on June 15, 2025, at Oakmont Country Club which is a course that demands greatness. The 34-year-old, who once walked on to the San Diego State golf team in 2009 with no scholarship, secured his first major championship after 13 years of grinding through the professional ranks. His winning score of 1-under 279 stood alone, as he became the only player to finish under par, earning $4.3 million and a spot in golf history.
Spaun started the final round one shot back of Sam Burns but stumbled out of the gate, carding five bogeys in his first six holes. A 90-minute weather delay halted the chaos and changed everything. After regrouping, Spaun roared back with a flawless 3-under 32 on the back nine, including clutch birdies at 12, 14, and 17, before burying a dramatic 64-foot birdie putt on 18 to seal the win.
From journeyman to giant-killer, Spaun’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Before Sunday, his best major finish was 23rd at the 2022 PGA Championship, and he’d only won once on the PGA Tour. Ranked 119th in the world just a year ago, he now sits at No. 8.
He edged Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre by two strokes and outlasted Viktor Hovland, who finished third. “I never knew my ceiling,” Spaun said, celebrating with his family. Now he does and it’s somewhere among the greats. The win wasn’t just a breakthrough it was a message. J.J. Spaun didn’t just arrive; he announced himself to the world.
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