Spaun tames Oakmont for US Open lead while big names struggle
Unheralded JJ Spaun outshone the game's top players and led the US. Open by one shot after the first round on Thursday at steamy Oakmont Country Club, where the big names Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy all struggled.
Much of the talk this week has been how the notoriously challenging course would keep scores in check, and while the layout did bare its teeth, Spaun managed the day's only bogey-free round and eighth ever in a US Open at Oakmont.
Spaun, who lost to McIlroy in a playoff at The Players Championship in March, fired a four-under-par 66 that marked his lowest round in a major and left him one shot clear of South African Thriston Lawrence.
"I hit a lot of good shots and tried to capitalise on any birdie opportunities, which aren't very many out here," said Spaun.
"But I scrambled well, too, which is a huge component to playing well at a US Open, let alone shoot a bogey-free round."
South Korean Kim Si-woo, whose birdie attempt at his final hole just missed the cup, was two shots off the pace and in a three-way share of third place with five-times major champion Brooks Koepka and Im Sung-jae.
Spaun, who started on the back nine, made his move early and reached the turn with four birdies on his card to become the first player ever to play his first nine holes in the opening round of the US Open at Oakmont at 31 strokes or fewer.
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