J.J. Spaun wins U.S. Open with putt of a lifetime

Ending the day with that shot sort of brought everything full circle for him because his final round on Sunday began with the type of chaos that frustrated every golfer in the tournament. 

He not only bogeyed five of the first six holes on Sunday, but he also had one of the worst tough-luck shots of the tournament on No. 2 when he hit the flag and watched helplessly as his ball just rolled further and further away from the hole.

That is the type of shot and the type of start to the day that can ruin a round and a tournament, especially in the context of five bogeys in the first six holes of the round.

But following his fifth bogey on Sunday, he bounced back and was par or better on 11 of the final 12 holes, including four birdies on the final seven holes. 

His birdie on 18 ended up clinching the tournament. 

The sort of bounce back is also a fitting way for Spaun to claim his first ever major championship. 

Earlier this year, he spoke about his struggles on the tour during the 2024 season, thinking that his career was going to be over halfway through the season. 

His career did not end, and now, he is a U.S. Open champion and conquered one of the toughest courses in the world to accomplish that feat. That included one of the most impressive putts that anybody could have possibly made.