In the world of golf, the path to greatness is often paved with adversity, and for J.J. Spaun, that journey took an unexpected turn through chaos, perseverance, and a 64-foot putt that will forever echo in U.S. Open history. On June 15, 2025, Spaun defied the odds to secure his first major championship at Oakmont Country Club, a course known for its unforgiving nature and brutal test of skill.
Spaun’s victory wasn’t just a triumph of golf; it was a story of resilience, mentorship, and seizing opportunities when they arise. From an early morning dealing with family chaos to the final putt that sealed his fate as U.S. Open champion, Spaun’s journey to the top was nothing short of cinematic.
A Chaotic Start: Fatherhood Meets Major Glory
The road to victory began long before the sun rose over Oakmont. At 3 a.m. on Sunday, Spaun was in a downtown Pittsburgh CVS, tending to his young daughter, Violet, who was suffering from a stomach bug. The morning chaos, as Spaun describes it, set the tone for a day that would demand everything from him—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
“Rough start to the morning,” Spaun admitted. “But it kind of fit the mold of what was going on, the chaos.”
That chaotic morning may have seemed a stark contrast to the calm of major championship golf, but it was emblematic of Spaun’s entire journey. Despite the turbulence in his personal life and the trials he faced over the past few years, Spaun remained unwavering in his pursuit of glory.
Mentorship and Mindset: Spaun’s Coach Inspires Resilience
While Spaun’s talent was never in doubt—he’s long been considered one of the world’s best ball-strikers—it was his mindset that needed sharpening. Adam Schriber, Spaun’s coach for nearly three years, played a pivotal role in getting him to this moment. Known for his tough-love approach, Schriber’s guidance helped Spaun overcome frustrations that stemmed from near-misses in previous tournaments.
Schriber, who once coached PGA Tour star Anthony Kim, saw something special in Spaun. He often posed a simple but powerful question to his pupil: “What if you and I are actually the two luckiest motherf—ers in the world?”
Spaun took these words to heart, internalizing them as a driving force behind his game. Schriber, in fact, became known for his “Lou Holtz talks,” named after the legendary football coach. When Spaun faced doubts before the U.S. Open, Schriber offered him yet another motivational speech while they made their way to the first tee at Oakmont.
“What you need is a perfect attitude,” Schriber said, focusing not on playing perfect golf, but on reacting to the course’s brutal challenges with the right mindset. Oakmont, with its tricky fairways, deep rough, and unforgiving bunkers, would test that very attitude.
Oakmont’s Challenge: Spaun Confronts the Beast
The U.S. Open at Oakmont is legendary for its difficulty. A course that has seen some of the best players in the world buckle under its demands, Oakmont offers little room for error. Spaun, however, managed to rise above its challenges. On Thursday, he made a remarkable statement with a bogey-free 66, the eighth such round in the history of the U.S. Open at Oakmont. By Sunday, he had positioned himself just one stroke behind the leader, Sam Burns, heading into the final round.
But Oakmont’s notorious difficulty had more in store for Spaun.
In the final round, Spaun endured a series of unfortunate events. A shot from 93 yards that hit the flagstick only to roll off the green at the par-4 second. A drive that ricocheted off a bunker rake, sending him into a precarious lie on the par-5 fourth. By the time Spaun reached the front nine, he was struggling with a 40, a daunting hole for any player to face.
Yet, just when it seemed like the victory was slipping away, fate intervened in the form of an unexpected two-hour rain delay. It was during this break in play that Spaun found clarity. The rain, which had been relentless, provided him with the perfect opportunity to reset. Spaun took a moment to dry off, grab some food, and reflect on the words of his coaches, Schriber and Josh Gregory, who had joined his team just days before the tournament.
“Just chill. Just let it come to you, be calm. Stop trying so hard,” Spaun recalled from his conversation with Gregory. It was exactly the reset he needed.
The Turning Point: Spaun Rises from the Depths
When play resumed, Spaun’s game turned around. Rejuvenated and with a new perspective, he birdied the par-5 12th to join a five-way tie for the lead. A clutch 22-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole gave him the one-shot lead he would need to carry through to the end. As Spaun played his way through the back nine, his focus remained unshaken, even as competitors around him faltered.
Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, and Scottie Scheffler all saw their hopes dashed in the final round. McIlroy, for example, destroyed a tee marker out of frustration on Friday, while Scheffler slammed his club in frustration on his way to a T-7 finish.
But Spaun kept pushing forward, buoyed by the memory of his late caddie’s father, Eddie, who had passed away the previous year. Spaun’s caddie, Mark Carens, found solace in knowing that his father was watching over him during those critical moments on the back nine. As Spaun continued to shine, it became clear that this was his moment, and no one, not even the infamous Oakmont, could stand in his way.
A Birdie to Seal the Victory
Spaun’s final challenge came at the 17th and 18th holes. At the par-4 17th, Spaun hit one of the best drives of his life, setting up a birdie opportunity. He then followed that up with a precise approach shot on the 18th, leaving himself with a 190-yard shot into the green. As the rain continued to fall, Spaun remained calm, stepping up to the ball with a clear mind.
“I didn’t want to do anything dumb trying to protect a three-putt or something,” Spaun said. The key to his success lay in his fearlessness, a quality he had learned from his experiences with Schriber and others throughout his career.
As he sank his final putt, the realization hit him: he was the 2025 U.S. Open champion.
“I was just in shock, disbelief that it went in, and it was over,” Spaun recalled, his voice tinged with awe.
With that final putt, Spaun not only secured his first major victory, but he also etched his name into golf history at one of the sport’s most iconic courses. Oakmont, the brutal beast that had claimed many before him, had been tamed by Spaun’s resolve, skill, and unwavering belief in himself.
Spaun’s Legacy: A New Major Champion is Born
J.J. Spaun’s U.S. Open victory marks a significant moment in his career and in the sport of golf. From a former professional skateboarder to a PGA Tour standout, Spaun’s journey is one of perseverance, mentorship, and self-discovery. His victory at Oakmont will serve as a reminder that sometimes, the greatest challenges come with the greatest rewards.
With the win, Spaun joins an elite group of players, and his victory will be remembered not only for the shots he made but for the resilience he showed in overcoming the chaos both on and off the course. As he celebrated with his family, it was clear that this was just the beginning for the newly crowned U.S. Open champion.
“On the back nine, he was definitely there,” said Carens of his late father. In many ways, it seemed that Spaun’s victory was a team effort, shaped by the wisdom and love of those around him.