Spaun Takes Lead at U.S. Open Golf Championship

PITTSBURGH, PA — J.J. Spaun fired a bogey-free 4-under-par 66 to take a one-shot lead in the opening round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on Thursday.

Spaun, 34, made three birdies in the first seven holes, positioning himself for a strong finish at a tournament where he has never made the cut before. Thriston Lawrence is in second place with a 3-under 67, while two-time champion Brooks Koepka, Si Woo Kim, and Sungjae Im are tied for third at 2-under.

Koepka, known for his strong finishes, ended his round on a high note with two birdies. He expressed optimism about his chances moving forward. “It’s a long tournament,” Koepka said. “I’ll take the momentum into the next rounds.”

Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau and favorite Scottie Scheffler both struggled, finishing with 73. Rory McIlroy faced challenges as well, carding a 74. This marks a stark contrast to McIlroy’s earlier victory at the Masters earlier this year.

McIlroy seemed frustrated with his performance, particularly at the tricky 12th hole, where he struggled with a long putt after rolling past the hole. “It’s tough out here, especially with the greens,” McIlroy said.

As players prepare for the second round, which starts at 6:45 a.m. ET on Friday, Spaun’s unexpected lead creates an exciting narrative for the upcoming rounds. “I’m just focused on playing my game,” Spaun stated.

With only a few shots separating the leaders, anticipation builds for the weekend as more players look to break into contention.