Fri Jun 13 08:40:35 UTC 2025: **JJ Spaun Surges to Lead at U.S. Open as Scheffler and McIlroy Struggle at Oakmont**
**Oakmont, PA** – JJ Spaun carded an impressive 4-under 66 to seize the first-round lead at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on Thursday, while world number one Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy faced frustrating rounds on the challenging course.
Scheffler, visibly struggling, finished with a 3-over 73, a stark contrast to his usual dominance. The world’s top-ranked player was seen displaying a range of emotions – frustration, bafflement, anger, and annoyance – throughout his round. He cited struggles with birdie opportunities and “sloppy” bogeys as contributing factors to his disappointing start. Despite the setback, Scheffler remains optimistic, stating, “I’ll clean up some of those mistakes… and I think tomorrow will be a better day.”
McIlroy, seeking to complete his career Grand Slam at the Masters in April, also faltered after a promising start. Birdies on the back nine were undone by a series of bogeys and a double bogey on the par-3 eighth, leaving him with a 4-over 74.
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau echoed the sentiment of the day, describing Oakmont as a “brutal test of golf” after his own 3-over 73.
Spaun, meanwhile, expertly navigated the demanding course, capitalizing on the slightly drier conditions of the morning. His stellar round puts him in a strong position heading into Friday’s second round, as the field looks to tame the notoriously difficult Oakmont layout.
First Piper 