Wet and Wild Conditions Test the World’s Best Golfers

The 2025 US Open will be remembered for its chaotic conclusion, with JJ Spaun emerging victorious in a thrilling finish that saw several top players falter under the pressure. The 34-year-old American golfer completed a fairytale win, earning a two-stroke victory over Bob MacIntyre and taking home a whopping $4.3 million prize.

The final round was marked by wet and wild conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds making the course treacherous. The thick rough was unfathomably difficult to play from, and players took turns looking silly as they struggled to navigate the puddles and muddy terrain. Despite the challenges, Spaun remained focused and composed, hitting a glorious drive onto the green of the par-four 17th and sinking a crucial birdie putt to take the lead.

Spaun’s fantastic tee shot at the 72nd hole, which found the center of the green from 65 feet, sealed his victory. He used just one putt to press home the win, earning widespread praise from his fellow competitors. MacIntyre, who applauded wildly when Spaun’s putt dropped, was gracious in defeat, saying “Wow” and praising Spaun’s incredible shot.

The drama did not end there, as several top players struggled to cope with the conditions. Sam Burns, who had been leading at one point, made a double bogey at the 11th and was soon tied for the lead with several other players. Burns’ momentum was lost when he appealed for relief from casual water on the fairway, only to be denied, and he eventually dropped two shots on the 15th.

Adam Scott, who had been in contention, also struggled on the back nine, carding a 41 to end his hopes of a first major in over 4,000 days. Carlos Ortiz and Cameron Young were also among the players who faltered under the pressure, with Young ultimately sharing fourth place with Ortiz and Viktor Hovland.

The win marked a career-defining moment for Spaun, who had started the year ranked outside the world’s top 100 players. He was overcome with emotion as he held the trophy aloft, saying “I never thought I would be here holding this trophy. I never knew what my ceiling was. I’m so proud I have been resilient.”

As for the other top players, Rory McIlroy was on a flight out of Pennsylvania, having completed a top-20 finish with a 67. He has his eyes set on the upcoming Open Championship at Portrush, saying “I climbed my Everest in April and I think after you do something like that, you’ve got to make your way back down. You’ve got to look for another mountain to climb. An Open at Portrush is certainly one of those.”

The US Open will be remembered for its unpredictable and dramatic finish, with several players experiencing moments of triumph and heartbreak. As the world’s best golfers return to their training grounds, they will be looking to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in the future.