OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA | In a temporary tent outside Oakmont’s clubhouse late on Sunday evening, two men embraced to a backdrop of rain falling on the tent’s roof and the dying chants of “USA, USA” coming from spectators behind the 18th green to mark J.J. Spaun’s victory.
Tyrrell Hatton and Bob MacIntyre had both had a chance to win the U.S. Open. Hatton’s hopes ended on the downslope in a deep grassy bunker on the 71st hole from where he took four strokes to hole out. MacIntyre, having posted a target of 1-over par, sat in the clubhouse and watched as Spaun snatched any chance of a playoff between the two men by holing a 64-foot birdie putt across the 72nd green’s damp surface. MacIntyre finished second, two strokes behind Spaun.
The two Europeans, friends and teammates in the 2023 Ryder Cup as they likely will be in the match in September, fell into each other’s arms. “Bob’s an amazing player,” said Hatton, who finished tied fourth. “He’s a great guy and someone that I have a lot of respect for. He’s had an amazing week. I’m sure he’ll be disappointed with how he’s just missed out, but he’s played amazing. … He can walk off with his head held high. I think that’s the reaction that every player would have for J.J.’s putt there, just respect and what a way to finish.”
MacIntyre was watching on television when Spaun’s putt disappeared into the hole and ever the gentleman, he raised both hands above his head, clapping them repeatedly.
He probably didn’t think he would lose out in such dramatic fashion. “It feels great,” he said as he waited for Spaun to complete the 72nd hole. “I've got a chance to win a major championship. It’s what I’ve dreamed of as a kid, sitting back home watching all the majors. Yeah, it feels unbelievable …”
One consolation MacIntyre could take away was to remember how well he had played over the last two rounds. He was the only man among the leading 14 to have scored in the 60s on both days, a 69 on Saturday and a 68 on Sunday. His first two rounds were 70 and 74.
“The back nine was just all about fighting,” MacIntyre said. “My previous rain-delay comebacks haven’t been strong. Today was a day that I said to myself, why not? Why would it not be me today?”
We know the answer to that. It was not McIntyre’s day and nor was it Viktor Hovland’s day either. A 73 for a 72-hole total of 282, 2-over par, was good enough for third place for Hovland, three strokes behind Spaun.
“I just didn’t have it today,” the ever-smiling Norwegian said. “Just didn’t hit it very good, and I missed way too many short putts, just didn’t make anything. It was a grind, but happy to battle back at least, and it was a very nice week.
“I keep progressing in the right direction, and to have a chance to win a major championship without my best stuff and not feeling very comfortable, it’s super cool. I’m going to take a lot of positives away with me this week. I think I missed three 5-footers today, and you can’t be doing that if you’re going to win a major championship.”
John Hopkins