U.S. Open 2025: Meet J.J. Spaun and the Round 1 Leaders You Need to Watch!

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The 2025 U.S. Open kicked off at Oakmont, where the challenging course lived up to its tough reputation. Players faced a grueling day, with more athletes finishing in the 80s than scoring under par. Interestingly, those who teed off later in the day had a better average score—74.2—compared to those who started in the morning.

Top Highlights from Round 1

1. J.J. Spaun stole the spotlight with an impressive bogey-free round of 66, matching the lowest first-round score ever recorded at Oakmont. This is a significant milestone for Spaun as it marks his first time leading after any major championship round. Previously, his best major finish was 23rd at the 2022 Masters. His putting game was phenomenal, gaining over four strokes on the greens, a major improvement from his past performances.

2. Thriston Lawrence showcased his skills with six birdies, the most in the field. He had a rough start to the season but shined at Oakmont, gaining significant ground with his approach shots.

3. Brooks Koepka showed signs of his past dominance, ending with a solid 68. After struggling in previous majors, his performance reminded fans of his earlier successes—he once went 92-under-par in majors from 2017 to 2021. His ability to avoid more than a couple of bogeys was a highlight.

4. Si Woo Kim matched Koepka’s score of 68, excelling with his irons and gaining a remarkable 5.1 strokes on approach shots. His performance was one of the best in the last four seasons in major championships.

5. Scottie Scheffler, the tournament favorite, faced challenges, scoring 73—his highest opening round in a U.S. Open. He struggled on the course, highlighting even the best players can have tough days.

6. Jon Rahm continues to perform strongly, scoring 69. This marks his fifth straight U.S. Open where he began with that score, placing him well as he heads into Round 2.

7. Rory McIlroy got off to a fast start, making birdies early on, but faltered as the day went on, finishing with 74—his highest opening round at the U.S. Open in years.

8. In a rare moment, Patrick Reed made an albatross on the fourth hole, only the fourth in the history of the U.S. Open. However, he ended the round with a disappointing triple bogey on the last hole.

Numerous players finished with even scores of 70. Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth both demonstrated their skills, with five birdies each, while Collin Morikawa performed brilliantly tee-to-green but struggled with putting.

Historically, twenty-three of the last twenty-six U.S. Open winners were within four strokes of the lead after the first round. However, there is hope for slower starters: past champions like Larry Nelson and John Mahaffey overcame larger deficits.

This round set the stage for a gripping second day at Oakmont, where the battle for the U.S. Open title is just beginning.

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