Robert MacIntyre’s reaction to JJ Spaun victory at US Open speaks volumes.
Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre was seen applauding JJ Spaun after holing a mammoth birdie putt to pip him to a first US Open title at Oakmont.
Robert MacIntyre was spotted applauding and shouting ‘wow’ as JJ Spaun dropped a birdie bomb on 18 to beat him to a first US Open title.
MacIntyre, 28, set the clubhouse target of 1-over par after an exceptional 2-under 68 in challenging final round conditions at Oakmont.
It looked a distinct possibility that MacIntyre, who started the final round seven shots off the pace, would end up in a playoff for the US Open.
Only Spaun, 34, had other ideas as he drove the green at the par-4 17th en route to a two-putt birdie.
That saw him take the outright lead.
Spaun hit a perfect drive on the par-4 18th, landed his approach shot on the center of the green, and then drained a sweeping putt from over 50 feet for a birdie, sealing a two-stroke win at 1-under par. He was the only golfer to finish the tournament under par.
While Spaun completed his round, MacIntyre watched from the comfort of the clubhouse. Had Spaun three-putted and made bogey, the U.S. Open would’ve gone to a sudden-death playoff between the two.
Instead, Spaun sank the long putt to claim his first major championship and only his second career victory on Tour. As the ball dropped into the hole, MacIntyre applauded and exclaimed “wow” in a classy display of sportsmanship.
Watch Bob Mac’s reaction below.
The solo second at the US Open marks MacIntyre’s best ever finish at a major.
MacIntyre also now vaults up to a career-best 12th in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) and to fourth in the European Ryder Cup standings for a place in a second consecutive team this September.
Tyrrell Hatton’s reaction to Spaun’s birdie putt on 18 was equally just as good.
Hatton bogeyed the last two holes to finish up in a tie for fourth, which also marked his best ever performance at a major.
He considered bad luck on the 17th hole was ultimately what cost him the US Open.
Watch Hatton’s reaction below during his interview with reporters:
