J.J. Spaun’s spectacular dad grit, tour pro's (alleged) locker-room rage and a high school hole-in-one machine

Welcome to another edition of The Grind, where we have never felt better about the golf gods’ existence. I realize I go back and forth on this matter—based largely on how I perceive the breaks I’m getting on the course during a given day—but Sunday’s U.S. Open round was a textbook example of how these mythical powers giveth and taketh away. J.J. Spaun got brutal breaks by hitting a flagstick and a rake in the first four holes on Sunday. I might have walked off the course, but Spaun actually has some guts and kept battling.

And a few hours later, Viktor Hovland hit an approach shot about a foot outside of Spaun’s on 18 to give him a much-needed read on that incredible 64-footer? It was just too perfect of a payback. So let’s all vow to learn from J.J. and not give up on the golf course when lady luck doesn’t seem on your side. Keep fighting and eventually you might get a stroke of good fortune that helps you win a U.S. Open. OK, so maybe not that last part, but you get the point. Now let’s talk more about Spaun’s spectacular finish and everything else going on in the world of golf.

WE’RE BUYING

J.J. Spaun: The 120-to-1 longshot didn’t just win his maiden major title, he took it by birdieing the final two holes at Oakmont with one of the greatest drives:

And putts:

… in golf history. And that’s not an exaggeration. What an amazing performance by a guy who previously had never finished in the top 20 at a major. And who bogeyed five of his first six holes on Sunday to drop from the TV coverage. But the accomplished skateboarder showed his Cali cool, especially after that 96-minute rain delay. Spaun said he was “so proud” of how “resilient” he was, and he wasn’t just talking about the final round. Look at how his career has shaken out:

And that’s after being a walk-on at San Diego State. So this was a win for the golf grinders everywhere. And for the dads everywhere on Father’s Day after Spaun told of how he and his wife had a rough Saturday night/Sunday morning dealing with a sick child. And as all parents know, if you can deal with that, you can deal with anything. Even a brutal Oakmont test. Anyway, the family was all smiles after:

What a great scene. In case golf fans don’t know, the J.J. definitely doesn’t stand for Just a Journeyman anymore. The dude is the U.S. Open champ for 2025—and a nominee for Father of the Year.

Robert MacIntyre: This guy is a national championship savant. And after capturing the Canadian Open and the Scottish Open last year, he came incredibly close to adding a U.S. Open. Like Spaun, MacIntyre was fantastic after that rain delay, posting a one-over total that looked like it might get the job done.

But all he could do was watch as Spaun made that final putt. And he had the best—and classiest—reaction of anyone:

You love to see it.

Colin Bobowski: In one of the freakiest stories we’ve heard, this Cincinnati-area junior in high school was the “celebrity hitter” on the sixth hole at Aston Oaks Golf Club during a recent charity event, meaning he teed off with every group. And wouldn’t you know it, but he made TWO holes-in-one on the hole during the day. That would be crazy enough, but this is the same kid who made THREE aces on the same hole at the same event two years ago.

Absolutely insane stuff. Aston Oaks better put a plaque on that hole for the young man. Although, they should probably wait until he graduates high school, because he’ll probably add to his total next year.

WE’RE SELLING

Sam Burns’ ruling: First of all, it has rained every weekend in New York for four months straight so I couldn’t have been less shocked that Mother Nature had to try to ruin the U.S. Open on Sunday. She’s really getting tough to take. But no one got a worse deal than Burns, who was tied for the lead late when his tee shot found a particularly squishy part of Oakmont. And yet, he was denied relief by two rules officials. Leading to this:

Brutal. And Golf Twitter agreed Burns got a raw deal when Normal Sport’s Kyle Porter posted this video:

How is that not "temporary water"? The guy was basically forced to hit out of a puddle! And it may have cost him the U.S. Open. I love the carnage and I think the USGA did a great job for the most part setting up the golf course, but this was a bogey on their part.

Adam Scott’s finish: That was tough to watch. There’s not supposed to be any cheering from the pressbox, but good luck finding a golf writer who wasn’t rooting for the 44-year-old Aussie. For one, he’s a gentleman. For another, he’s a great player who deserves more than one major title. And, personally, he’s one of the few guys still on the PGA Tour who is older than me. But sadly, things came apart for Adam on Sunday, and the golf gods teased him all day with long putts that just barely missed.

Cruel. Although nothing will ever top the cruelty Scott went through at the 2012 Open Championship when he bogeyed the final four holes to lose to Ernie Els by a stroke. And it was the Big Easy who surprised the Aussie by visiting him on the range before Sunday’s final round. I know that was supposed to be a sweet moment, but that wasn’t a good omen of things to come.

Rory McIlroy’s mindset: Look, I get it. I think. McIlroy finally climbed the mountain at the Masters and now he’s trying to find ways to get motivated again. But shouldn’t adding to your major total—especially while you’re playing so well—be enough to stay driven? And if he’s having trouble getting up for the U.S. Open, then why is he out there throwing clubs and smashing tee markers?

This has been weird to see unfold. It was much more fun watching this guy a couple months ago so I hope he gets back to that place mentally. Speaking of smashing things …

Smashing lockers: Wyndham Clark reportedly was behind this locker-room rage incident after missing the cut by one stroke:

I don’t care what golf course it is, destroying property like that is disgraceful behavior. But at a historical place like Oakmont? Where the clubhouse should be treated like a museum? That’s even worse. It will never happen, but whoever did this should be banned from next year’s U.S. Open. OK, back to happier things …

ON TAP

The PGA Tour continues with the Travelers Championship, AKA that one they play in the Northeast. Seriously, it’s the only one these days. Pretty wild. But it’s a good one with a great field as to be expected for the final signature event of the year. And that includes all three 2025 major champions: World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, World No. 2 Rory McIlroy and World No. 8 (!) J.J. Spaun. And the LPGA Tour will have its third major of 2025 at the KPMG Women’s PGA, where we’ll get another look at PGA Frisco.

Random tournament fact: Keegan Bradley, whose U.S. Ryder Cup team is filling up fast, holds the scoring record since the Travelers moved to TPC River Highlands in 1984. The Vermont native shot 23 under par in 2023 for one of the most popular PGA Tour wins in recent years. And if he shoots anything close to that again, he might just pick himself for Team USA.

RANDOM PROP BETS OF THE WEEK

—The winning score at the Travelers will be 1 under par: 1 MILLION-to-1 odds

—J.J. Spaun will win this week: 50-to-1 odds (Still not getting enough respect!)

—J.J. Spaun slept a LOT better on Sunday night: LOCK

TWEET OF THE WEEK

Make that the Thread of the week. Look at John Spaun, J.J.’s dad, just casually mentioning that his son won the U.S. Open.

He seems as cool and calm as J.J.

TWEET OF THE WEEK (CLUB PRO GUY DIVISION)

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

So good. But … that putter works pretty well for you, J.J. Might want to hold onto that . . .

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK (ON-COURSE DIVISION)

Before golf fans were treated to Spaun’s emotional victory, they got to see this touching scene of Philip Barbaree Jr. making cut—with his wife caddieing for him and his dad cheering him on:

So good!

THIS WEEK IN PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

The Spauns weren’t the only family to have a sweet moment at Oakmont. On Saturday night, Scottie Scheffler hit the range with baby Bennett—and the 1-year-old is already taking some swings:

Look out, world. When Bennett starts walking, he could be a problem on the course.

THIS WEEK IN PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION (ARCHIVE DIVISION)

Speaking of young golfers, it looks like J.J. always knew he was destined to be a PGA Tour pro:

How cool is that?! And how cool of a name is John Spaun? J.J. should just go by that!

THIS WEEK IN CELEBRITY GOLFERS

Caitlin Clark got in on the “What would a regular golfer shoot at Oakmont?” conversation—and added a logical question to those watching at home:

To which Michael Kim replied:

Makes sense. And I’m guessing Caitlin could find out for herself if she wanted to.

THIS WEEK IN BRYSON BEING BRYSON

Pretty funny that the most analytical golfer in the game nearly committed one of the dumbest penalties ever:

Golf. What a crazy sport.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I never thought I would be here holding this trophy. I've always had aspirations and dreams but a few months ago I didn't know what my ceiling was and how good I could be, but I am just proud.” —J.J. Spaun. We’re proud of you too, man.

THIS AND THAT

Congrats to Carlota Ciganda on winning the Meijer LPGA Classic for her first LPGA Tour victory in nine years. Yeah, I was shocked to learn it had been that long for this Solheim Cup standout as well. … Rory McIlroy had another frustrating week, but he still broke the record for most career rounds of 67 or better at the U.S. Open. Just another reminder of how consistently good he’s been. … Congrats to defending HGGA (my annual golf trip) champion Mark Finegan on being named Rookie of the Year at Spanish Wells Golf and Country Club after retiring last year and basically playing golf every day since. Man, retirement sounds awesome. And, man, is he going to be tough to beat at this year’s HGGA Championship in Michigan in a couple of weeks. … And, finally, I’m super proud of my youngest, Maddie. Not only did she graduate preschool, but she picked Cheesecake Factory as the spot to have a celebratory lunch:

I’ve trained her well when it comes to chain restaurants.

RANDOM QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Why aren’t there any Chili’s closer to me?

What would I have shot at Oakmont on Sunday?

How will the golf gods treat me in Michigan in a couple weeks?