Shinnecock Hills, New York welcomes golfing greats

Maybe the World Cup football tournament in America is ticking all your boxes at the moment, but one thing is for sure that the utter delight of golf in the US Open is actually top of your viewing list.  Indeed, in a few hours time, the third Major of the season, the US Open gets underway at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, New York (18-21 June) where American J.J. Spaun is keen to defend his title.  The 35-year old from Los Angeles was up against the best players in the world including the Official World Number One Scottie Scheffler but still managed to snatch the trophy even in appalling conditions.

 

Yes, J.J. Spaun had a glorious, but rather unexpected, victory in the US Open at Oakmont Country Club, Pennsylvania.  In fact, Spaun got off to a disappointing start on the final day when he carded five bogeys in the first six holes.  His share of second place with Australia’s Adam Scott looked well and truly doomed.

 

Spaun’s incredible comeback on the back nine

 

Yet as the skies turned black and play was postponed, Spaun rallied all his strength and made an incredible comeback on the back nine.  He clinched birdies at the 12th and 14th as well as a tremendous finish with more birdies at the 17th, where he very nearly holed his tee-shot, and the 509-yard, par-4 18th to actually clinch the 125th US Open with a score of 1-under par (279) by two clear shots.  Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre had to settle for second spot.

 

The newly-crowned PGA Champion Aaron Rai from England is one of eleven English players looking to seize this year’s US Open title.  Among them Matt Fitzpatrick, who won the US Open in 2022, and his younger brother, Alex.  Justin Rose enjoyed the same result when he won his first Major, the US Open of 2013 at Merion Golf Club.  He too is keen for victory at Shinnecock Hills.  Tyrrell Hatton is also looking to get a step closer to the trophy after finishing in a share of fourth last year.

 

The field of 156 players includes, naturally, some of the best players in the world such as the Official World Number One Scottie Scheffler (USA), Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Bryson DeChambeau (USA) and Xander Schauffele (USA).

 

The US Open is set to delight you over the next few days.  So please sit down and chill out with all the unexpected excitement that is heading your way!

 

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  A delighted American J.J. Spaun won his first Major in 2025 – the US Open.