OAKMONT, Pa. – J.J. Spaun’s closing pursuit of major glory began at 3 a.m. Sunday in, of all places, a CVS in downtown Pittsburgh. Spaun’s almost 2-year-old daughter, Violet, had woken up with a stomach bug, and mere hours into Father’s Day, dad duty called.

J.J. Spaun's victory at the U.S. Open and a hefty winner's check vaulted him into the top three on the PGA Tour money list.

J.J. Spaun earned the right to dance in the rain after making the longest putt of the 2025 U.S. Open on Sunday. Watch how he won the event.

Oakmont was almost unplayable Sunday afternoon in the rain. But in the end, it was exactly what Spaun needed to become one of the unlikeliest U.S. Open champions.

It is of no consolation to the players that, unlike most venues, the conditions don’t change much. Oakmont plays nearly as difficult for the amateur membership as it does for the world’s best pros.

Spaun, who up until Sunday had a grand total of one (1) PGA Tour victory to his credit, won the U.S. Open on talent, yes. But he won it on tenacity, too, and bend-but-don’t-break mental toughness. He won it because he hung around long enough to make exactly the right move at exactly the right moment.

J.J. Spaun added supreme clarity to one of the most uncertain U.S. Opens by making a 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win the 125th edition. It was his first PGA Tour title, a major championship.

Maybe, just maybe, anybody can win a U.S. Open. Including a 34-year-old PGA Tour journeyman counted out after nine holes.

J.J. Spaun managed the rain and a tough Oakmont course to win the 2025 U.S. Open, the first major victory for the California-native.

As he stood on the ninth tee box in the pouring rain, it looked for all the world like J.J. Spaun had just played his way out of contention for the 125th US Open championship.