J.J. Spaun endured the toughest test in golf on the toughest course in America in the worst kind of conditions. And then he turned this miserable, wet Sunday at Oakmont into a finish as memorable as any in the U.S. Open.
The champion not many expected delivered two shots no one will forget.
First came his driver on the 314-yard 17th hole onto the green for a two-putt birdie that gave him the lead. Then, needing two putts from 65 feet on the 18th to win, he finished his storybook Open by holing the longest putt all week at Oakmont for birdie and a 2-over 72.
For all the mess Oakmont became in a series of downpours, for all the bad breaks and bad lies and bad shots that cost so many contenders, Spaun overcame a start that would have ended hopes of more seasoned players and weathered the pressure to claim his greatest prize.
"I never thought I would be here holding this trophy," said Spaun, who finished last year at No. 119 in the world and moved up to No. 8 with his U.S. Open victory. "I always had aspirations and dreams. I never knew what my ceiling was. I'm just trying to be the best golfer I can be.