In one of the most improbable recoveries on a Sunday at a major tournament, JJ Spaun paid heed to the words of Tiger Woods to “keep sticking around” and not shooting for heroics. Spaun shot 40 on the front nine and was at one point 4 shots out of the lead. A timely rain delay allowed Spaun to regroup. And then he made a monster birdie putt on 12 after play resumed, followed by another on 14. He then drove the green on the 314 yard 17th and birdied. After striping his drive on the final 18th, 509 yard par 4, he sunk another monster putt–this one even longer at 67 feet–to clinch his first major victory.
Meanwhile, the final pairing of Sam Burns and Adam Scott wilted in the rain, shooting 8 and 9 over on the final day. That left only Robert MacIntyre with a realistic shot to win, after he finished at +1 with a final round -2.
But Spaun wouldn’t be denied with back to back birdies on 17 and 18. It was a Miracle at Oakmont.