OAKMONT, Pa. – The 125th U.S. Open leaderboard at Oakmont Country Club is delivering drama, with J.J. Spaun atop the leaderboard at 4-under 66 after a bogey-free opening round, tying the lowest first-round score in Oakmont’s U.S. Open history (as of 2:50 PM ET). His pinpoint accuracy, with birdies on Nos. 10 and 12, has set a blistering pace on a course known for its punishing greens and brutal rough. Trailing by one stroke is South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence at 3-under 67, who overcame a double bogey on No. 9 with three back-nine birdies, including a two-putt birdie on the par-4 17th, showcasing his short-game finesse.
The top 10 is a mix of grit and precision. Si Woo Kim and Thomas Detry sit tied for third at 2-under 68, navigating Oakmont’s 168 bunkers with steady play. Ben Griffin and Robert MacIntyre are knotted at 1-under 69, while Brooks Koepka, Scottie Scheffler, Tyrrell Hatton, and Sam Burns hold firm at even-par 70. Koepka’s eagle on the 621-yard par-5 fourth kept him in the hunt, and Scheffler, despite a bogey on the third, remains a threat as the pre-tournament favorite.
Oakmont’s restored 7,372-yard, par-70 layout, with its 14-foot Stimpmeter greens, is exposing weaknesses in even the biggest names. Rory McIlroy, who started strong at 2-under through nine, imploded with four bogeys and a double bogey on the back nine, limping to 4-over 74. Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau struggled to a 3-over 73, undone by errant shots on the par-5 12th. Shane Lowry, despite a highlight-reel eagle on No. 3, carded a 9-over 79, buried by two double bogeys early.
Spaun, often overlooked, has seized the spotlight with a career-best major round, while Lawrence’s gritty performance signals a breakout. As Oakmont’s “church pew” bunkers and firm conditions continue to test the field, the leaderboard could see more upheaval. For now, Spaun and Lawrence are the ones taming this beast, but with three rounds left, the U.S. Open’s reputation for chaos looms large.
To see the full U.S. Open leaderboard in real-time, click here
