How Did Aaron Rai Perform While JJ Spaun Secured the US Open with Two Birdies?

Oakmont (USA), June 16 (NationPress) The relatively unknown JJ Spaun delivered a stunning performance with two remarkable birdies on the final holes, clinching victory at the 125th US Open and dramatically altering his life and career.

Having previously won only one PGA Tour title, Spaun started the day one stroke behind Sam Burns. Despite facing five bogeys in the first six holes, the challenging scoring conditions kept him in contention as he approached the 17th hole, where Robert MacIntyre had set the clubhouse target at 1-over with a superb round of 2-under 68.

With a tie against MacIntyre at the 17th, Spaun executed an impressive 314-yard drive and secured a birdie to take the lead. On the 18th, needing two putts from 65 feet for the win, he sank a remarkable putt for a grandstand finish, achieving a score of 2-over 72 and winning by two strokes at the Oakmont Country Club under challenging, wet conditions. This made him the sole player to finish under par at 1-under 279, securing a two-shot win over MacIntyre.

Indo-British Aaron Rai, after three rounds scoring 72, added a 73 to finish T-33. Indian-American Akshay Bhatia missed the cut, while Sahith Theegala withdrew due to a neck injury.

This victory marked Spaun's ascension to major champion status in just his second U.S. Open appearance. He celebrated by raising his arms and tossing his putter, leaping into the embrace of caddie Mark Carens. Last year, he was ranked No. 119 in the world, having achieved only one PGA TOUR title in his career.

Burns, who held a two-shot lead heading to the 11th tee, suffered a double bogey from a divot and shot 78. Adam Scott, aiming to become the first player to win a major after a gap of more than 11 years, was tied for the lead with five holes left but finished T-12 after shooting 79.

Despite starting the day just one shot behind, Spaun faced five bogeys early, but a rain delay of 1 hour and 37 minutes shifted the momentum. From then on, he made only one bogey, culminating in a breathtaking finish.

MacIntyre, aged 28, also encountered early struggles, trailing by nine shots at one stage. However, he birdied the 17th and made a crucial par on the 18th with a 68, finishing with the clubhouse lead. He nearly became Scotland's first major champion since Paul Lawrie in 1999.

Hatton (72) and Ortiz (73) tied for fourth, alongside Cameron Young (70), marking their first serious contention in a major. Ortiz's consolation was qualifying for next year's Masters. Despite starting the final round ten shots behind, Scottie Scheffler remained a part of the narrative but missed too many birdie opportunities, concluding with a 70 to tie for seventh with Jon Rahm (67) and Burns, his best friend.

Rory McIlroy shot a 67, finishing T-19 after a challenging week like many others.