J.J. Spaun Leads U.S. Open After Immaculate 66 at Grueling Oakmont
In only his second U.S. Open appearance, J.J. Spaun seized the lead after a flawless opening round at Oakmont Country Club, finishing with a bogey-free 4-under 66, one of just eight such rounds ever recorded in a U.S. Open at this brutal venue.
Spaun, ranked No. 25 globally, credited his steady putting—gaining nearly four strokes on the greens—as the key to his success. He hit eight fairways and 12 greens, starting strong with four early birdies and then parring out to close flawlessly.
“It was just another round at the U.S. Open,” Spaun said. “No expectations—maybe that freed me.”
True to reputation, Oakmont's punishing layout—thick rough, deep bunkers, lightning-fast greens—flattened many big names. Only 10 players broke par on Day 1.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler shot a disappointing 3-over 73. Rory McIlroy, after a promising front nine, finished at 4-over 74, faltering on the back half. Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau also struggled to a 73.
Crewed closely behind Spaun are Thriston Lawrence at 3-under 67, and a three-way tie at 2-under involving Brooks Koepka, Si Woo Kim, and Sungjae Im at 68 pgatour.com+11reuters.com+11nypost.com+11. Jon Rahm posted a solid 1-under 69.
Spaun became the only golfer with a bogey-free round in the morning wave—after Dustin Johnson’s similar feat in 2016 ksl.com+4si.com+4espn.com+4.
Patrick Reed achieved a rare albatross on the par‑5 fourth—the first in the U.S. Open in 11 years—though he later triple-bogeyed the 18th to finish over par
