J.J. Spaun claimed his maiden major title as he snatched his dramatic victory on a chaotic final day at the U.S. Open.

The American had to overcome a flooded golf course and a 90-minute rain delay to edge a crowded leaderboard, earning a two-shot victory over Robert MacIntyre.

Spaun had started the final round one shot behind overnight leader Sam Burns, but it looked like he had fallen out of contention as he shot five bogeys in his first six holes.

MacIntyre had set the clubhouse target at one-over par after a superb two-under 68, helping him to make up ground after starting the day seven off the lead.

However, Spaun charged back into contention after the lengthy weather delay, as many others struggled to cope on the saturated course.

He posted two long-range birdies on his back nine and took a one-shot lead with a birdie on the 17th before a sensational 64-foot birdie on the final hole saw him card a two-over 72 that moved him onto one-under for the weekend.

Spaun finished as the only player under par across the weekend, as many players struggled on the notoriously difficult Oakmont course.

He was also the only player to shoot a bogey-free round during the tournament, with his four-under 66 on Thursday.

 

 

 

 

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"I don't think I did keep my composure with all the bad breaks I was getting [on the front nine]. I just tried to dig deep, hit some good shots," Spaun said.

"Honestly, the weather delay we had just changed the whole vibe for the day. I leaned on the experience of a delay at The Players, and I kept pushing. I bounced back and fought really hard on the back nine.

"I never thought I would be here holding this trophy. I've always had aspirations and dreams, but a few months ago, I didn't know what my ceiling was and how good I could be. I'm just proud I've been resilient in my career and have pushed through a lot of things. I'm just trying to be the best golfer I can be."

At one stage on the back nine, five players shared the lead at one over, but Tyrrell Hatton stumbled on the final two holes, while Viktor Hovland started poorly before recovering to finish third on three over.

World number one Scottie Scheffler finished tied for seventh on four-over, after a level-par fourth round, along with Jon Rahm, and Burns, who had held the overnight lead but fell away from the top after an eight-over 78.

Xander Schauffele finished two shots further back, tied for 12th, while earlier in the day, Rory McIlroy capped off a disappointing tournament on a positive note, carding 67.

The Northern Irishman has now gone round in 67 or under 10 times at the U.S. Open, which is more than any other player, while his 39 rounds of 67 or better at majors trails only Phil Mickelson (41), Jack Nicklaus (42) and Tiger Woods (48).