American JJ Spaun reigns in an unpredictable US Open

American golfer J.J. Spaun was crowned U.S. Open champion Sunday in a fast-paced closing round of one of the most unpredictable Major tournaments in recent years.

Spaun, who had never finished in the top 20 of a Major, withstood the pressure during a final stretch played in the rain and amid passionate support from American fans at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.

To maintain his slim lead, Spaun birdied the last two holes and finished two strokes ahead of Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, another player vying for his first Major title.

At 34 years of age, the Californian golfer lifted just his second PGA Tour trophy with a final round of 72 strokes, two over par, and a cumulative 279 (-1).

No. 25 in the world ranking, Spaun was the only golfer to go under par in this hellish 125th edition of the U.S. Open, third of the four Major Championships on the calendar.

With most of the favorites out of play, Mexican Carlos Ortiz came to share the lead in the second part of the last round.

The player from Guadalajara, a member of the Saudi LIV Golf circuit, finished in fourth place, tied with American Cameron Young and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, with a cumulative score of 283 (+3).

The early favorites on the leaderboard were American Scottie Scheffler, world No. 1, and Spaniard Jon Rahm, winner of the U.S. Open in 2021, who finished in seventh place, five shots behind the leader.

Argentine Emiliano Grillo finished in 19th place (+7) and Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas in 46th (+13).

Ortiz in the fray

Oakmont, hosting the U.S. Open for the 10th time, more than lived up to its reputation as one of the most difficult courses in the world of golf.

From Thursday's start, the top contenders were expressing their frustration with the numerous obstacles they faced.

The ultra-fast greens, tricky bunkers and thick, high rough at Oakmont brought down players like Rahm and Rory McIlroy, the champion of the Masters at Augusta in April.

The tournament thus became a unique opportunity for players who were semi-recognized by the general public, among whom J.J. Spaun emerged strongly.

The American began the final round one shot behind the leader, his compatriot Sam Burns, but seemed to quickly fall out of the fight as he had five bogeys in the first six holes.

Unexpectedly, Spaun was stealthily cutting ground in a day that was interrupted for an hour and a half by rain.

On the restart it was Sam Burns who fell apart, stringing together two bogeys and two double bogeys that opened the doors wide for the rest of the field.

The chaos that ensued allowed Carlos Ortiz to dream of becoming the first Mexican-born golfer to win a Major, but that dream was shattered with a double bogey on the 15th hole.