JJ Spaun staged an incredible comeback to win his first-ever major championship. The 34-year-old powered his way to victory in dramatic fashion at the 125th U.S. Open. He also became the 92nd different player to win the tournament, and his wife and their two young daughters congratulated him in a heartwarming moment as he struggled to hold back his tears.
Spaun In Tearful Celebration With Family
Spaun fought his way back to the top of the leaderboard on Sunday at Oakmont. The American hit a breathtaking 64-foot birdie on the 18th to secure the title. He holed the longest putt of the week at the final hole. Afterwards, he reunited with his wife and his young daughters, Emerson Lili and Violet Windsor, to celebrate his first-ever major championship win.
“Dada won!” Violet said excitedly and Spaun kissed her on the cheek. “paun said he felt delighted to have his family attend his victory on Father’s Day. “It was a dream week and scenario to have my kids here,” an emotional Spaun said “It’s awesome and a cherry on top for an awesome week.”
“Dada won!”
A day the Spaun family will never forget 🥹 pic.twitter.com/UcqEDtYAff
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 16, 2025
Spaun’s wife also revealed that she had always felt he was the underdog, but she’s happy that the 34-year-old has finally proven himself. “Honestly, I feel like he’s always been an underdog,” she said. “And I feel like the underdog finally had his day. He’s finally proved himself, he’s one of the most humble people that I know, and I just feel like he’s finally gaining his confidence and it’s showing. He finally feels like he belongs here, and he’s proving himself. It’s incredible… this means everything to us.”
Spaun Reflects on “Unbelievable” 64-Foot Birdie
Spaun’s chances of winning his first-ever major appeared to have disappeared after he began the final round in disastrous fashion. However, the 34-year-old managed to claim a two-shot victory ahead of Robert McIntyre. Spaun dropped five strokes in the first six holes and fell five behind, but he fought back after a 96-minute weather delay to close the gap on the leaders, even after closing with a final-round 73.
“I was just in shock, disbelief that it went in and it was over,” Spaun said when asked about his incredible 64-foot birdie. “I couldn’t even believe what I witnessed when that went in.” The American’s only previous victory on the PGA Tour was at the Texas Open in 2022. This year, he finished runner-up at the Cognizant Classic and lost a playoff to Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship but finished with a one-under-par 279 total to win his first major.
Keep Reading: US Open At Oakmont Proves Difficult For Past Champions
Spaun had never previously finished in the top 20 at any major tournament, but he became the only player to finish under par at 1-under 279 on Sunday. “I just felt like if you keep putting yourself in these positions, like eventually you’re going to tick one off,” Spaun said.
Main Photo Credit: © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
