Golf: American JJ Spaun wins a daunting first Major
Spaun is the only player to finish under par at the US Open, played on the already demanding Oakmont course, after a final round made epic by rain.
By Le Parisien with AFPAmerican JJ Spaun won the US Open golf tournament on Sunday , his first Major, after a final round made daunting by the weather on the Oakmont course in Pennsylvania, where a magical final putt secured him the trophy.
Spaun, 34, was the only player to finish under par in the tournament, which was played on the already demanding Oakmont course after a final round made epic by the rain.
Spaun finished with a total of -1, two shots ahead of Scotland's Robert MacIntyre and three ahead of Norway's Viktor Hovland.
"I never thought I would be able to lift this trophy. I'm proud of the perseverance I've had throughout my career," said Spaun, a Los Angeles native.
The American had a very poor start to the fourth round with three bogeys on the first three holes, and even five bogeys on the first six, relegating him quite far down the provisional rankings during the day.
But an excellent comeback (four birdies, one bogey) combined with the misfortunes of his rivals Sam Burns and Adam Scott, who shared the final round, allowed him to claim the title.
"I don't think I particularly kept my cool, I dug deep inside myself," he explained.
Spaun won the trophy in style by sinking a superb final putt from nearly 20 meters for birdie on No. 18.
"It's a dream last shot. Usually you watch others do it, those crazy moments. Having my own moment in this tournament, I'll never forget it," commented the winner.
"It's a fairy tale ending, the story of the unexpected hero who comes back from afar, who doesn't give up, never gives up. With this rain, this putt, you couldn't write a better story."
The American, who pocketed a check for $4.3 million, wiped away the tears that streamed down his cheeks as he left the green while the spectators who had stayed despite the pouring rain chanted his name.
The 34-year-old, ranked 25th in the world, had only won one tournament on the PGA Tour so far, the Texas Open in 2022. However, he had already distinguished himself this season with second-place finishes at the Players Championship, considered a "5th Major," and at the Cognizant Classic in February, after a third-place finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
The top Frenchman, Victor Perez, shot one shot over par, as he did on Saturday, to finish 19th overall in +7, tied with Rory McIlroy. Matthieu Pavon finished 64th in the third Major of the season, the last on American soil, before the British Open, played in Portrush from July 17 to 20 in McIlroy's home town of Northern Ireland.
Le Parisien
