J.J. Spaun at U.S. Open: Round 1 Highlights & Score
- spaun, unfazed by Oakmont Country Club's daunting reputation, carded a 4-under 66 on Thursday to grab the first-round lead at the U.S.Open.
- Open appearance, attributed his success to a lack of preconceived notions about the course.
- Spaun's stellar round marked the first bogey-free showing at Oakmont since Dustin Johnson's opening round in 2016. Johnson went on to win the tournament that year.
J.J. Spaun dominates the U.S. Open‘s first round,seizing the lead with a flawless,bogey-free 4-under 66 at oakmont. His performance puts him ahead of the field, demonstrating exceptional putting skills. Thriston Lawrence trails by a single stroke, while world number one Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy faced difficulties. Brooks Koepka is in contention, injecting excitement into the early leaderboard. Spaun’s success at the U.S. Open, his second appearance, showcases his adaptability, and News Directory 3 is closely following the unfolding drama at Oakmont. Discover what’s next for Spaun and other top players as they navigate this challenging course.
J.J. Spaun Seizes U.S. Open Lead With Flawless Round
Updated June 13, 2025
Oakmont, Pa. — J.J. spaun, unfazed by Oakmont Country Club’s daunting reputation, carded a 4-under 66 on Thursday to grab the first-round lead at the U.S.Open. His bogey-free performance put him one stroke ahead of south Africa’s Thriston Lawrence.
Spaun, making only his second U.S. Open appearance, attributed his success to a lack of preconceived notions about the course. “I kind of came out here with no prior history at oakmont, not really knowing what to expect,” spaun said.
Spaun’s stellar round marked the first bogey-free showing at Oakmont since Dustin Johnson’s opening round in 2016. Johnson went on to win the tournament that year. Spaun hit 12 of 18 greens in regulation, showcasing exceptional putting skills by gaining nearly four strokes on the field with his putter.
“It’s challenging in every sort of aspect or variable in golf,” Spaun said, acknowledging Oakmont’s difficulty. “You’re obviously going to have to grind when you’re out of position, and I did that really well today.”
Meanwhile,world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler struggled, posting a 73 with five bogeys. Rory McIlroy also faced challenges, carding a 74 after a tough experience on the fourth hole.
Brooks Koepka, seeking a return to major championship contention, shot a 68, joining Si Woo Kim and Sungjae Im in a tie for third. Only 10 players managed to break par after the first round.
Spaun, ranked 25th globally, previously contended at the Players Championship.Despite a recent missed cut at the Memorial, his performance at Oakmont surprised many.
“I was actually pretty nervous,” Spaun admitted. “But I actually tried to harness that — the nerves, the anxiety — because it kind of heightens my focus, makes me swing better.”
“Today was one of my best putting days I’ve had maybe all year, especially inside like the makeable-range putts, inside 12 feet or so,” Spaun said.
Xander Schauffele, who finished at 2 over, acknowledged the long road ahead. “I just told J.J., ’Amazing round, nice playing. Good luck the rest of the way,'” Schauffele said.
what’s next
As the U.S. Open progresses,Spaun faces the challenge of maintaining his lead on a demanding course under increasing pressure. The remaining rounds promise intense competition as top players vie for the championship.