Fatherly Role of JJ Spaun Amid USGA's Controversial Past with Sam Burns, Oakmont's Winners and Losers Dissected
Fresh Take:
Unlucky Sunday For Sam Burns At The U.S. Open:
JJ Spaun's captivating journey to win the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont will ripple through the golfing community for years to come. Meanwhile, Sam Burns' U.S. Open journey took a bit of a sour turn, thanks to a controversial, and even questionable, decision by the USGA.
A lengthy rain delay on Sunday afternoon had Burns within striking distance of the title, but things took a turn for the worse when he wasn't granted relief from a clearly unfavourable lie. Burns' situation is reminiscent of past incidents involving the USGA, which has left many questioning the governing body's decision-making processes.
Unfortunately for Burns, the bizarre ruling proved to be his downfall, as he fell apart after the delay and ultimately finished as a T-7. This disappointing turn of events has led to speculation about whether the USGA explicitly targets certain players when enforcing rules, but that's a topic for another day.
In this week's edition of Par Talk, we'll discuss the highs and lows of the U.S. Open, including JJ Spaun's heartwarming dad duties and the continuous drama surrounding Sam Burns and the USGA. As always, feel free to reach out via email at mark.harris@our website or on the X machine @itismarkharris.
**JJ Spaun's Disaster-Turned-Daddy Moment:
If getting quality sleep the night before a major championship is difficult, try doing so with a sick child screaming the night away! Unfortunately, that's just what JJ Spaun faced on the eve of the U.S. Open. Despite the rough start, Spaun handled the chaos like the champion he is.
In an interview after the tournament, Spaun shared the mortifying details of his vomit-filled Sunday morning, mentioned above. However, he took it all in stride as his sister consoled him by stating that he's "…just like any other dad." This little bit of encouragement helped Spaun find some calm before taking the course and earning a two-stroke victory.
Sam Burns, The Unlucky Dude:
It's safe to say that Sam Burns isn't the biggest fan of the USGA after this week's U.S. Open. The governing body's latest questionable decision involved Burns during Sunday's play. After hitting a solid tee shot on the 15th hole—which had been temporarily saturated due to a rain delay—Burns was left fuming, as the officials denied him free relief.
The rules of golf state that an accumulation of water must remain present either before or after the stance is taken for the player to be granted relief. Despite the flood-like conditions on the course, Burns was forced to play the shot as it lies. He eventually double-bogeyed the hole, which ended his hopes of victory.
Previous incidents involving Burns and the USGA have sparked discussion and criticism within the golfing community. In 2017, Burns was surprisingly left off the U.S. Walker Cup team despite a standout college career and a successful amateur career. To Burns' credit, he responded to the snub with class.
Winners and Losers From the 2025 U.S. Open:
Winner: JJ Spaun & Oakmont:It goes without saying that JJ Spaun is the clear winner of the week, having come out victorious on Sunday evening. But it's worth mentioning that the historic Oakmont course also deserves recognition for delivering a tournament that tested even the best golfers, producing a winner who was the best over the four days.
Loser: Adam Scott:One could argue that it's unfair to label Adam Scott as a 'loser' given his impressive career and immense contributions to the sport. However, Sunday was a frustrating watch for the Aussie, who finished in a disappointing 31st place. Scott carded a final round of 79, managing only one birdie after starting just a shot behind the lead.
Winner: Carlos Ortiz:Defying expectations, Carlos Ortiz posted a highly respectable 73 on Sunday, securing a T-4 finish. After a lackluster start, this marks an impressive milestone for the LIV player, who proved that he's more than capable of competing on the big stage.
Loser: Joaquin Niemann:After his victory at the LIV Golf event and a Top 10 finish at the PGA Championship, Joaquin Niemann's hopes of succeeding at the U.S. Open were sky-high. Unfortunately, he failed to live up to the hype, missing the cut by three shots. Some critics claim that his lack of major championship success highlights that he's more suited to smaller events.
Winner: Viktor Hovland:Hovland, once a consistent contender in major tournaments, showed signs of his old form at Oakmont. Although he fell short of victory, his approach and short game were exceptional throughout the weekend. Fans are optimistic that this could be a turning point in Hovland's career, as he continues to work his way back to the top of the leaderboard.
Loser: Patrick Cantlay:Cantlay has a reputation for being a reliable and consistent PGA Tour golfer, but major championships seem to be a different story. Cantlay failed to impress at Oakmont, missing the cut with a lackluster opening round score of 76. He'll be hoping to regroup quickly as he aims to break through in his pursuit of a major title.
In closing, the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont was a memorable tournament full of highs and lows. Join us next week for more insights and analysis on the world of golf. As always, don't hesitate to reach out through email at mark.harris@our website or on the X machine @itismarkharris.
*The controversy surrounding Sam Burns and the USGA in the 2025 U.S. Open has garnered intense discussion in the sports-analysis community, with many questioning the decision-making processes of the governing body.
*Interestingly, the golf tournament also saw JJ Spaun's victorious performance at Oakmont, a testament to his sportsmanship and determination, despite the challenges he faced off the course with a sick child before the tournament.
