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Spaun leads U.S. Open golf as rare shots highlight Oakmont challenge

Sports

Business Honor
13 June, 2025

Spaun’s steady 66 leads as Oakmont challenges players; Reed’s albatross and others excite.

J.J. Spaun quietly took control on a challenging day at Oakmont, posting a flawless 4-under 66 to lead the U.S. Open after the first round. While other players made headlines with dramatic and rare shots, Spaun’s steady, bogey-free performance set him apart on one of golf’s toughest courses.

Patrick Reed has made an unbelievable millstone on the par-5 fourth hole just four times in the history of the U.S. Open. Despite the energy, Reed's round ended with a triple bogey showing how challenging the course was. Shane Lowry finished with a 79 after struggling the entire time.

He did, however, make an eagle, the first ever on Oakmont's par-4 third hole. The top-ranked player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, had a rough round, finishing at 73, and his highest opening round of the competition, after suffering six bogeys. With four birdies and five big par putts between seven and sixteen feet, Spaun's game was marked by precision putting. His score was equal to Andrew Landry's 2016 record for the lowest first round at Oakmont.

Speaking after his round, Spaun admitted he didn’t expect such a strong start but credited having low expectations for his calm play. Despite softer conditions brought on by recent rain, the course lived true to its reputation as being difficult to play. For top players like Rory McIlroy, who finished with a 74 and declined to comment after the round, the rough proved particularly harsh.

Highlights of the day included Tony Finau's incredible par rescue after hitting a sprinkler and Maxwell Moldovan's eagle on the first hole. After playing for over 13 hours, only five players finished below par, demonstrating how difficult the test will be.