Through it all, looming large and nasty and insurmountable, there was the golf course. Oakmont Country Club hosted its record 10th U.S. Open. As ever, it did not disappoint. This is the place that, in 1962,

J.J. Spaun has won the U.S. Open Championship and his first major with a thrilling, birdie-birdie finish to rally for victory at Oakmont Country Club. Spaun, 34, only had one win on the PGA Tour prior to his thrilling win at the U.S. Open.

On a day built for umbrellas, panchos and industrial-sized squeegees, Spaun reversed his own freefall, took advantage of several others' and hit two shots that turned him into a major champion while finally, mercifully, creating a moment to remember at the rain-soaked brute called Oakmont.

Spaun could never have known his entire professional career prepared him for this moment in Western Pennsylvania

Dan Patrick discusses the "war of attrition" that was the 125th U.S. Open, sharing why Oakmont Country Club was "the star" of the tournament and how J.J. Spaun beat "the best" and "the beast."

Oakmont was almost unplayable Sunday afternoon in the rain. But in the end, it was exactly what Spaun needed to become one of the unlikeliest U.S. Open champions.

J.J. Spaun capped a hand-wringing 2025 U.S. Open in epic fashion with a putt of truly miraculous proportions. The 34-year-old American made a 64-foot, 5-inch putt on the 72nd hole of the tournament Sunday to clinch his first major championship and just the second PGA Tour win of his career.

Spaun rallied to win the 2025 U.S. Open with a dramatic final-round rally, and Sports Illustrated was inside the ropes for all of it. Here are SI's best photos from Spaun's victory.