J.J. Spaun won his first major U.S. Open title at Oakmont, but a controversial ruling on Sunday’s final round overshadowed the victory. Sam Burns faced a tough break when denied relief from water on the 15th hole and subsequently hit into thick rough short of the green.
Burns, who finished tied for seventh, was diplomatic about the incident with reporters, saying, “That’s kind of the low part of the fairway there… it’s not up to me, it’s up to the rules official.” However, NBC analyst Brad Faxon disagreed with the call, stating that Burns got a “bad break” on 15 and should have been able to take relief.
Despite the controversy, Spaun performed well under difficult conditions, making some clutch shots to claim the title. Adam Scott, who struggled after the restart, also acknowledged the challenges posed by the poor weather.
The U.S. Open is known for its tough tests, but Oakmont’s treacherous conditions made it nearly impossible to control the ball. As Faxon noted, the water was “like so close to the surface” that even a 5-iron shot on the 15th hole was “bizarre.”
Burns showed remarkable composure in the face of adversity, saying, “Golf’s a hard game, especially on this golf course.” Despite his disappointment, he can hold his head high, having given it his best effort.
The win marks Spaun’s first major championship, and he demonstrated why he belongs among the world’s top players. For Burns, however, it was a tough lesson in golf’s unpredictable nature – even the best of us can’t escape bad breaks sometimes.
Source: https://golf.com/news/controversial-ruling-derails-us-open-leader-ridiculous