Spaun Conquers Oakmont: A Stellar 66 Kicks Off His U.S. Open Journey

OAKMONT, Pa. — Sometimes, not knowing what might go wrong can be an advantage. J.J. Spaun, new to competitive play at Oakmont Country Club, tackled this challenging course with surprising ease, finishing his first round at 4-under par with no bogeys.

“I had no prior experience here, so I just focused on what the course offered,” Spaun shared. This was only his second U.S. Open, and perhaps that lack of history helped him play freely.

His score of 66 is particularly notable because it’s the first bogey-free round at Oakmont since Dustin Johnson did it in 2016. Johnson went on to win that tournament.

Spaun excelled during the opening nine holes, where he made four birdies. He recorded an impressive 31 on that side. While he hit just over half of the fairways (8 of 14) and greens (12 of 18), what stood out was his ability to scramble for par on the back nine, managing to avoid three-putts on Oakmont’s notoriously tricky greens.

“It’s tough out there. You have to really grind when you’re off,” he explained. Spaun’s putting skills were on fire; he made 90 feet of putts and gained almost four strokes on the field from his putting alone.

“I had one of my best putting days all year,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of making those short, often crucial putts. For Spaun, keeping the momentum was key at a U.S. Open.

Ranked 25th in the world, Spaun’s earlier experiences include a tight playoff battle against Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship. Though he faced pressure there, nothing compares to the stakes of a major tournament.

“I was nervous, but I used that to heighten my focus,” he said. Feeling uneasy often propels him to perform better. However, he knows the challenge won’t get easier as the tournament progresses.

Xander Schauffele, who finished at 2 over, acknowledged Spaun’s impressive performance, reminding everyone that it’s just the first day. With rounds still left to play, the competition will only intensify.

In golf, experts point out that an unexpected round like Spaun’s can set the tone for the rest of the tournament. According to a recent report from the PGA, nearly 75% of players who start strong in major championships tend to finish in the top 10. It’s a testament to how critical a solid opening round can be.

As the golfing world watches, Spaun’s journey at Oakmont is just beginning, and the coming days will test his skills and nerves on this challenging course.



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