J.J. Spaun captures first major title, wins 125th U.S. Open - ESPN

OAKMONT, Pa. — J.J. Spaun survived a terrible start and challenging elements to pull away from the pack and capture his first major championship with a two-stroke victory in the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on Sunday.

After birdieing the 17th hole to take a one-stroke lead, Spaun made a 64½-foot birdie putt on the 18th to secure his unlikely victory and defeat Scotland's Robert MacIntyre by two.

After Spaun's long putt fell in the cup, he dropped his putter, raised his arms, and gave the crowd a fist pump. He hugged caddie Mark Carens and later embraced his wife, Melody, and two young daughters.

Spaun said he didn't look at the scoreboard as he walked up the 18th fairway because he didn't want to know if he had a two-stroke lead.

«I knew, based [on] what the crowd was saying, that I felt like if I two-putted, I would probably win,» Spaun said. «But I didn't want to look because I didn't want to play defensive. I didn't want to do anything dumb, trying to protect a three-putt or something.

»About 8 feet out, I kind of went up to the high side to see if it had a chance of going in, and it was like going right in. I was just in shock, disbelief that it went in and it was over."

Spaun was the only golfer to finish under par at 1-under 279. He posted a 2-over 72 on Sunday and went 3 under on the back nine. Spaun will collect $4.3 million for the biggest payday of his career.

MacIntyre, who was attempting to become the first left-handed golfer to win the U.S. Open, finished 1-over 281.

Norway's Viktor Hovland finished third at 2-over 282.

Spaun grabbed the outright lead at even par by reaching the green with a 309-yard drive on the short par-4 17th hole. His eagle try from 18 feet slid past the hole, but he made a