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The 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club delivered an instant classic as unlikely champion J.J. Spaun claimed his first major title on Father's Day Sunday. The 34-year-old entered the final round one shot behind leader Sam Burns but appeared finished after five bogeys in his first six holes, including a cruel break on the second where his ball struck the flag stick and spun off the green.

A 96-minute rain delay proved pivotal for Spaun's comeback. Upon resumption, he rallied with three back-nine birdies before delivering the shot of the tournament—a 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole that sent the soggy Oakmont gallery into delirium.

The marathon putt made Spaun the only player to finish under par at 1-under 279, two shots clear of Scotland's Robert MacIntyre.

Oakmont's legendary difficulty was on full display all week, with the course's punishing rough and lightning-fast greens humbling even the game's elite. Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau (10-over) and 2023 winner Wyndham Clark (8-over) both missed the cut, while contenders Adam Scott and Viktor Hovland fell victim to the course's brutal closing stretch.

For Spaun, a San Diego native who was ranked 164th in the world just one year ago, the victory represents the ultimate underdog story. His triumph earned him $4.3 million, a 10-year U.S. Open exemption, five-year exemptions into the other majors, and a meteoric rise into the world's top 10.

THE PUTT OF A LIFETIME

Spaun's incredible comeback was capped by one of the greatest finishing putts in U.S. Open history. The 64-footer not only sealed his first major championship but also earned immediate respect from golf's elite, who couldn't contain their amazement at the "unbelievable" and "absolutely filthy" shot that will be replayed for generations.

The statistics behind Spaun's remarkable 18th-hole birdie prove just how extraordinary the moment truly was:

• Less than 5% of players made birdie on the 18th hole during Sunday's final round

• The likelihood of making a 64-foot putt was under 2% for PGA Tour players

• Players were three times more likely to three-putt from that distance

• The 18th green was playing brutally difficult, with putts from 10-15 feet finding the cup just 14% of the time

• Spaun's longest made putt all season prior to Sunday was just 40 feet

• He became only the fourth player in the last 70 years to birdie the final two holes en route to U.S. Open victory

Congratulations, J.J.— you've made U.S. Open history. From now on, no championship highlight reel will be complete without this incredible moment.

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