J.J. Spaun (-1) rubbed his magic lamp on the 17th hole and out came a stratospheric, precise, perfect drive, with a bit of draw, aiming for the flag. The kind of shot that wins tournaments. The kind of shot that wins Majors. It passed very close to the hole, leaving a very good eagle chance from about five metres. He made the birdie and headed to the 18th with the mission to make par to win the US Open Championship.
He was at an even par total, with Robert MacIntyre waiting in the clubhouse at +1. It could be enough. Par is by no means guaranteed on the 18th. The rest of the contenders, many, up to seven with five holes to go, on a memorable day of golf, were buried here and there under the marvellous cruelty of Oakmont. Most fell on the 15th, what a monster, although some, like Tyrrell Hatton, left it on the 17th. There was still the task of hitting the fairway on the 18th, a titanic task, believe it or not. Spaun rubbed his lamp again and placed it right in the middle of the fairway. He couldn’t have placed it better by hand.
His second shot was smart. He aimed for the left side of the green, the safe side with the flag on the right. That’s where he put half the US Open in his pocket, although he still had to make two putts from almost 20 metres. Never in his life had he been in such a situation. Never in his life had he been on such a big stage, in the rain, with the stands packed and the obligation to sink a small white ball into the hole in two strokes to make history. His first Major. Just imagine for a moment the speed at which that heart was pumping…
But Spaun, no one knew, had come out to play today with his magic lamp. He rubbed it again and it granted his wish. Not only are you going to be crowned, the genie said, you’re going to do it in style. Why two putts if we can solve it in one. Of course. And he made it. Ecstasy. A putt of exactly 19 metres and 63 centimetres to win the US Open and be the only player under par in the tournament. Long live Spaun. Long live his story. Long live Oakmont. Long live the lamp.
Aladdin was a poor young man from an Eastern city. He survived without great aspirations until one day he found the lamp and the genie changed his life. He granted him wishes, ended up marrying a princess, and was a man respected by the sultan and his court. Perseverance, ingenuity, and a touch of magic. The story of Spaun.
There is no greater lesson in resilience and perseverance than his final round at Oakmont. He started with five bogeys in the first six holes. He was four strokes behind Sam Burns and more than one certified his demise. Impossible for him to lift his head. This is as far as he goes. It was nice while it lasted, was heard throughout Pennsylvania. However, magic always defeats logic. Can you win a Major by shooting 40 on the first nine holes on Sunday? Logic says no. Magic prevails. He made birdie on the 12th with a great 12-metre putt, added another on the 14th, from just over six metres, and finished with birdies on the 17th and 18th. Isn’t it magical that Spaun achieved victory by sinking the longest putt of the week at Oakmont?
The brand new US Open champion has won by two strokes over Robert MacIntyre, three over Hovland, and four over Cameron Young, Hatton, and Carlos Ortiz. In seventh position finished Jon Rahm, Scheffler, and Sam Burns. Adam Scott, who reached the 15th fully in the fight, ended up outside the top 10. Hovland, Ortiz, Burns (with controversy over a relief not granted), and Scott left the US Open on the 15th hole. What a beast. Hatton did it on the 17th, missing the drive, from rough to rough, and shot because it’s my turn. Really, only MacIntyre can say he didn’t lose the US Open, it was won from him. Even Scheffler had his chances, which were annihilated with two missed putts from less than half a metre.
There is a new Major in the world golf coop. The prince of Oakmont is called J.J. Spaun and now he has a thousand and one nights ahead to celebrate his feat. A fairy tale victory.
