J.J. Spaun made a major statement on Thursday, shooting a 4-under 66 in the opening round of the U.S. Open at the notoriously difficult Oakmont Country Club. The round not only put him atop the leaderboard early, but also turned heads as one of the most composed performances of the day on a course that has long been considered one of the toughest in golf.
Known for its narrow fairways, thick rough, and lightning-fast greens, Oakmont has humbled even the greatest names in golf. But Spaun handled it with calm precision. He made four birdies and no bogeys—an extremely rare feat at this venue—showcasing his discipline and sharp course management.
Spaun entered the tournament somewhat under the radar, with only one PGA Tour victory and limited major championship success in his career. But Thursday’s round suggested a new level of confidence and control in his game. His iron play was dialed in, and he consistently put himself in good position off the tee—two keys to surviving Oakmont.
After his round, Spaun credited his preparation and patience for the strong showing. “I just tried to stick to my plan and not get too aggressive,” he said. “Out here, one bad swing can cost you a double or triple. Staying mentally sharp was everything today.”
As the field battles to stay close, Spaun will now look to carry that momentum into Friday’s second round. With the leaderboard already stacked with big names and challenging conditions expected to persist, he’ll need to maintain that sharp focus if he hopes to stay in contention through the weekend.
Whether or not Spaun can sustain this level of play remains to be seen, but his first-round performance has certainly added a new name to the list of serious contenders.
