A 34-year-old journeyman who contemplated retirement a year ago wins the U.S. Open? Sounds more like the movie “Tin Cup” than what transpired at storied Oakmont Country Club on Father’s Day.
But J.J. Spaun, who was born in Los Angeles and played at San Diego State, won the tournament in dramatic fashion on a roller coaster of a Sunday. He bogeyed five of the first six holes but rallied with a 3-under 32 on the back nine, which included birdies of 40 feet, 22 feet and an incredible 64 feet.
Celebrate Spaun’s underdog victory with a beautifully designed commemorative page print from USA TODAY. Featuring a bold headline and a striking image of Spaun celebrating at Oakmont, this keepsake captures the moment perfectly.
Buy our U.S. Open page print
Printed on premium, acid-free art paper, this collectible starts at $35 (plus shipping). Elegant upgrade options include framed editions and backgrounds in canvas, acrylic, metal or wood through the USA TODAY Store.
Late on the back nine, Spaun was one of five players tied for the lead on a course that crowned such champions as Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Johnny Miller and Ernie Els. Spaun finished at 1-under 279, the only golfer in red numbers, two strokes ahead of Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre.
He made the 64-foot putt for birdie on the 72nd hole when he only needed a two-putt par for victory.
Own a piece of golf history today! J.J. Spaun’s story will long be remembered by golf fans the world over.
Buy our U.S. Open page print
Contact Gene Myers at gmyers@gannett.com. Follow him on X@GeneMyers. After nearly a quarter-century as sports editor at the Detroit Free Press, Myers unretired to coordinate book and poster projects across the USA TODAY Network. Explore more books and page prints from the USA TODAY Network, including titles on the Florida Gators’ NCAA basketball championship and the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory in Super Bowl 59.