JJ Spaun Shines as Big Names Struggle on a Brutal Day at Oakmont
It’s been a dramatic opening round at the 2025 U.S. Open, and the leaderboard is not what most fans expected. As the spotlight naturally gravitated toward the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, it was JJ Spaun who flipped the script at the formidable Oakmont Country Club. On a day where just 10 players out of a 156-man field managed to break par, Spaun delivered a clinical, bogey-free 66 to claim the outright lead—and a fair amount of admiration.
Spaun's round began with a spark, chipping in for birdie on his very first hole, the 10th. From there, he made light work of the par-five 12th and picked up two more birdies on 16 and 17. His precision and composure stood in stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around him. While Spaun’s score tied the record for the lowest-ever U.S. Open round at Oakmont, what stood out even more was how clean his scorecard remained—a rarity on this notoriously punishing course.
Meanwhile, the day was less kind to some of golf’s elite. Scottie Scheffler, one of the pre-tournament favorites, looked solid early but fell apart mid-round with six bogeys against three birdies, ending with a frustrating 73. Bryson DeChambeau’s score matched that number, though it didn’t reflect the rollercoaster of errors and recoveries that defined his round. A three-putt here, a lucky bogey save there—it was messy, unpredictable golf from a player who had been under par through seven holes.
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Then there’s Rory McIlroy. He had fans buzzing after opening with a brilliant birdie stretch and a monstrous 392-yard drive, but the back nine was his undoing. After going out in 33, he stumbled to a closing 41, including a double-bogey at the 8th. McIlroy’s 74 leaves him eight shots back, and more importantly, it raises questions about whether the emotional toll of completing the career Grand Slam at Augusta earlier this year has dulled his competitive edge. While there’s no denying McIlroy’s pedigree, he’s clearly not at ease with his driver—a problem that Oakmont's dense rough will only magnify.
The cut line, projected to land somewhere around +6, looms large for many marquee players. Patrick Reed’s round was a whirlwind that included both an albatross and a triple bogey. Shane Lowry carded a disastrous 79, and Justin Rose didn’t fare much better with a 77. Even Dustin Johnson, the 2016 winner at Oakmont, struggled to a 75, which included a near-unthinkable shank from the fairway.
And yet, amidst the stumbles and sighs, there were signs of life from others. Brooks Koepka closed with back-to-back birdies to shoot 68. Jon Rahm posted a 69 that could have been better if not for a few missed opportunities. South African Thriston Lawrence quietly placed himself in second with a three-under 67, overcoming a double-bogey mid-round and showing grit on a course that demands it.
Still, the story of the day belongs to JJ Spaun. His performance wasn't just about avoiding mistakes—it was about owning the moment. This is a player who’s come close on big stages before, including a hard-fought runner-up finish to McIlroy at The Players earlier this year. Now, he’s proving that he can not only contend with the game’s best but beat them—at least for a day. Whether he holds on through the weekend remains to be seen, but his calm under pressure has already earned him the respect of both fans and peers.
The U.S. Open is far from over, but Oakmont has already made one thing clear: it doesn't care about reputations. If the opening round is anything to go by, the road to victory will be steep, treacherous, and wildly unpredictable. Keep your eyes on Spaun, because right now, he's not just leading—he's believing.
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