Former PGA Tour player thinks what J.J. Spaun did at the US Open has taken a lot of heat off of the USGA

Add as preferred source on Google

After a slightly underwhelming first three days, the US Open certainly kicked into life over the final 18 holes, with J.J. Spaun emerging victorious at Oakmont.

What the final day of the US Open lacked in terms of superstar names, it more than made up for with drama, with the likes of Sam Burns, Adam Scott, Tyrrell Hatton and Robert MacIntyre all among those who had their sights set on the trophy on Sunday.

Burns led after both the second and third rounds, and found himself in a strong position for much of the front nine on the last day. However, he began to make more and more mistakes as the weather took a turn.

And there was some controversy with Burns feeling that he may have been entitled to a drop on the 15th hole due to standing water. However, two rules officials both disagreed. He would end up making a double bogey on the hole.

J.J. Spaun’s victory at the US Open takes some heat off of the USGA

That helped set the stage for J.J. Spaun to get across the line. The 34-year-old made birdie on his final two holes to end up as the only player under par for the week. That included an amazing putt on the final green to confirm his victory.

And speaking on 5 Clubs, Brendon de Jonge suggested that the uproar over the incident surrounding Burns would have been even greater had Spaun not produced such a brilliant moment on the 72nd hole.

Gary Williams said: “I thought him making the putt, a two putt he wins, him making the putt I think elevated the whole thing, because you got exuberance from him which he’s not accustomed to doing. If he coaxes it down and he makes it, there’s no demonstrative celebration. He gave that rain-soaked crowd a moment that I think will stand up forever.”

“I think it’s huge, and I think it’s massive to take a little heat off the USGA as well, because this is now going to be remembered for the putt he made and we’ll stop talking about the Sam Burns ruling back there on 15. I didn’t understand that one at all,” de Jonge replied.

How Adam Scott reacted to Sam Burns being denied a drop at Oakmont

It did seem extremely unfair on Burns that he was not allowed to place his ball elsewhere. His practice swings were clearly bringing up a decent amount of water, as did the shot itself.

Perhaps he may have still fallen away, but it did appear to put Burns in more trouble further down the hole. And the comments of his playing partner Adam Scott about the incident certainly told a story about how difficult it was.

“Yeah, I know. I was thinking of asking as well. It was borderline unplayable. The water was like so close to the surface. Like the shot I hit on 11, it’s bizarre. I just don’t know. It was like an aquaplane on the ground,” he said.

“He tried to hit a five iron, I guess, on the 15th, and it’s tough. It’s a tough call, but we played. Everyone had to deal with it.”

Burns will surely want to move on as quickly as possible and take the positives from his performance across the week. He was very much in the mix down the stretch at the US Open. That bodes well for the coming years.