Oakmont Rains on Parade

“Absolutely wild championship Sunday” USGA Commentator.

JJ Spaun

Well, what an unpredictable day the final round of the 2025 U.S. Open turned out to be. Oakmont did its part while the field struggled mightily to overcome the challenges of it. The players struggles were particularly intense and dramatic over the closing holes, reflecting the uncertainty of the outcome. At one stage five players shared the top spot on the leaderboard. After the 12th hole the last pairing, Sam Burns and Adam Scott, seemed to have the upper hand, they had more holes available from which to score.

The drama increased as the fortunes of several key players fluctuated. Final moments of the 2025 U.S. Open golf championship kept building from the challenging course conditions, the break in play of about ninety minutes from heavy rain, the decisions made over crucial shots, and the attitude needed to compete at the highest level. Drama and intense pressure for the players and increasing excitement for the fans on the course and at home.

The Gruelling Course and Challenging Conditions

Conditions, particularly on holes 15, 16, and 17, presented various but difficult challenges to all golfers. Hole 15, described as a "bad mess," had players struggling with the amount of moisture on the ground and in thick rough. This led to issues like Sam Burns's request for temporary water relief being denied twice, highlighting the strict rules and difficult playing conditions. The 244-yard par 3 16th hole yielded only three birdies all day, underscoring its difficulty and the need for powerful, accurate shots. The wet, soaked fringe and overall moisture on the course made chipping and putting especially tricky, with balls either running through or stopping short.

Highs and Lows, Players and Their Fortunes

Sam Burns's Unfortunate Struggles

Sam Burns faced considerable adversity, particularly on the 15th hole. His repeated requests for temporary water relief were denied, a ruling that was later debated by the commentators as potentially "borderline unfair" and a "bad call." This seemed to affect his play significantly, as he went on to record multiple double bogeys and saw his lead slip away. His frustration was palpable, and his performance was described as "never in control" since the restart, ultimately leading to a "miracle" being needed for him to recover.

Robert MacIntyre's Consistent Performance

Robert MacIntyre from Scotland was a strong contender throughout the tournament. He displayed remarkable consistency, with commentators noting his strong play and the confidence he brought into the event. His "magical year" last year, winning the Canadian Open and Scottish Open, set a high bar. He posted a 68 and a one-over score, which put him in a strong position, especially as others faltered. The possibility of him being the first left-hander and first Scot since 1927 to win the U.S. Open added to the drama.

JJ Spaun's Remarkable Comeback

Perhaps the most compelling narrative belonged to JJ Spaun. After bogeying five of the first six holes, his chances seemed bleak. On the2nd, a brilliant approach turned to horror, when Spaun’s ball struck the flag square to roll back 70 yards. On the 3rd more misfortune followed as his ball hit a rake to set up a difficult recovery shot. However, he mounted an incredible comeback, described as "slowly hung in there and hung in there." His putter got hot and a phenomenal drive on the 17th, landed him on the green for an eagle try, it was a pivotal moment. His composure and ability to reset after the play interruption were crucial to his rise to share the lead, defying all initial expectations. His "laser focus" and "heart" were highlighted as key to his resurgence.

Other Notable Golfers

Adam Scott's dream of a second major championship faded as he struggled with bogeys. Cameron Young showed moments of brilliance, including an eagle attempt at 17, but also faced challenges. Tyrrell Hatton also struggled on the closing holes, particularly on the "easiest hole on the golf course," the 17th, experiencing "nightmares" there. Carlos Ortiz, despite not being a frontrunner, delivered his "finest major performance of his career."

The Mental Game and Championship Pressure

The immense mental pressure of a major championship spiked the concerns of golfers to make correct decisions, to minimise damage under difficult conditions. Players became a little more tentative coming down the stretch. The ability to handle "adversity" and "curveballs" was paramount, with good shots sometimes not yielding good results due to conditions or bad breaks. The importance of "mindset" and "attitude" when facing adversity was frequently mentioned by many players. The impact of delays and restarts benefited some players like Spaun from the reset, while others like Burns were adversely affected. The prospect of a playoff and the discussions around its timing further amplified tension, adding another layer of mental challenge for the leading contenders.

Oakmont and Adversity

Oakmont challenged the elite field not only with their golfing skills, but how they used their ability to remain calm and make decisions, to help progress their game positively when operating under extreme conditions. JJ Spaun remained calm and focused when it seemed, all was lost.