J.J. Spaun wins U.S. Open in unbelievable finish at Oakmont
OAKMONT, Pa. — All week long it was Oakmont vs. Golfers and on the 72nd hole of the 125th U.S. Open, J.J. Spaun won it for the golfers.
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In the last hour of what passed for daylight on a miserable rainy day, with a war of attrition claiming leader after leader, Spaun impossibly went on the attack. It all ended with 64-foot birdie putt that took Spaun to one-under par, a symbolic win after a week of brutal punishment dished out by the most unforgiving of golf courses.
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Tied for the lead, Spaun did what every other contender couldn't do, and with danger left, right and long, the 34-year-old drove the green at the par-4 17th hole setting a two-putt birdie, to give him a one-shot lead.
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Nothing is easy at Oakmont though, and after finding the fairway and the green at the 18th hole, Spaun had two putts to claim his first major, but somehow needed just one, pouring in the putt to win his first major championship, and just the second tournament of his career.
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'His game this year has been great in big-time events. He's one of the more underrated players, and this year he's showing that,' said Canadian Nick Taylor, who shares a trainer with Spaun. 'He's showing his true talent now.
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Oakmont claimed 54-hole leader Sam Burns with a double bogey at hole 15. For 44-year-old Adam Scott the end came with a double bogey at the par-3 16th. The fiery Englishman Tyrell Hatton met his fate with bogeys at both 17 and 18.
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In the end, the closest competitor was Scotsman Robert MacIntyre who shot a Sunday 68, to finish at one-over par. His U.S. Open hopes ended in a comfortable chair in the clubhouse where he sat hoping that Oakmont would slay every man left on the golf course. And it nearly did, except for J.J. Spaun.
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A month of rain, a week of rain, and finally a Sunday of rain couldn't stop Oakmont from putting up a devastating test to the world's best players. It's narrow and pitched fairways seemingly guiding golf balls into five-inch rough that was hit with leaf blowers each day to insure maximum punishment. Once players found the greens, they were met with severe slopes and speeds that seemed impossible in wet conditions.
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