I just tried to dig deep,” said the 34-year-old Californian who can now call himself a major champion. “I've been doing it my whole life.”

Spaun learned from previous errors to make history at the 2025 U.S. Open, writes Bob Harig. Plus, notes on the low amateur, the PGA Tour's new CEO and other stats from an epic U.S. Open.

His thrilling victory at Oakmont Country Club on Sunday was another example of the inspiring resilience of a San Dimas High graduate who never forgot his roots.

Spaun could never have known his entire professional career prepared him for this moment in Western Pennsylvania

The deluge turned out to be a fortuitous occurrence, the sheets of rain and corresponding delay a perfect opportunity for J.J. Spaun to turn chaos into calm.While a crew of groundskeepers and volunteers were working on the saturated Oakmont Country Club with hand towels and squeegees and whatever else they could find to remove water from fairways and greens,

But one-by-one, everyone sputtered, and Spaun made birdies on Nos. 12, 14 and the aforementioned 17 and 18 to thrill the masses. The 34-year-old Los Angeles-area native shot 66-72-69-72. "Fortunately, it was my time," said Spaun, who claims the 2022 Valero Texas Open as his sole PGA Tour title.

J.J. Spaun capped a hand-wringing 2025 U.S. Open in epic fashion with a putt of truly miraculous proportions. The 34-year-old American made a 64-foot, 5-inch putt on the 72nd hole of the tournament Sunday to clinch his first major championship and just the second PGA Tour win of his career.

Maybe, just maybe, anybody can win a U.S. Open. Including a 34-year-old PGA Tour journeyman counted out after nine holes.

Celebrate J.J. Spaun's victory in the U.S. Open -- with a 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole -- with a USA TODAY commemorative page print