As he stood on the ninth tee box in the pouring rain, it looked for all the world like J.J. Spaun had just played his way out of contention for the 125th US Open championship.

OAKMONT, Pa. – J.J. Spaun’s closing pursuit of major glory began at 3 a.m. Sunday in, of all places, a CVS in downtown Pittsburgh. Spaun’s almost 2-year-old daughter, Violet, had woken up with a stomach bug, and mere hours into Father’s Day, dad duty called.

J.J. Spaun's victory at the U.S. Open and a hefty winner's check vaulted him into the top three on the PGA Tour money list.

It is of no consolation to the players that, unlike most venues, the conditions don’t change much. Oakmont plays nearly as difficult for the amateur membership as it does for the world’s best pros.

Tiger Woods proved to be a motivation for JJ Spaun's U.S. Open win after a rain-soaked course challenged him to the edge.

Following his dramatic comeback win at the 2025 US Open at Oakmont, newly crowned major champion J.J. Spaun speaks to CNN Sports’ Patrick Snell about his victory.