Golfer Robert MacIntyre Falls Just Short of First Major at Dramatic US Open
In a heart-stopping finale at the 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, Scottish golfer Robert MacIntyre came tantalizingly close to securing his first major championship, only to be edged out in the final moments by a stunning performance from J.J. Spaun. The tournament, marked by unpredictable weather and a punishing course, showcased MacIntyre’s grit and skill, as he battled through a chaotic final round to finish solo second, cementing his status as one of golf’s rising stars.
MacIntyre, a 28-year-old from Oban, Scotland, entered the final round seven strokes behind leader Sam Burns. The rain-soaked conditions at Oakmont, coupled with the course’s notorious difficulty, created a grueling test for the field. Yet, MacIntyre thrived where others faltered. His final-round score of two-under-par 68 was a testament to his composure and adaptability, as he navigated treacherous rough, slick greens, and a 90-minute weather delay that turned the day into a war of attrition. His performance was the only sub-par round among the top six finishers, a remarkable feat given the circumstances.
The Scot’s journey to the clubhouse lead was nothing short of extraordinary. Starting the day at five over par, MacIntyre got off to a shaky start with bogeys on two of his first three holes. However, a 58-foot eagle putt on the par-5 fourth hole sparked a turnaround, settling his nerves and propelling him back into contention. “That kind of settled me down,” MacIntyre later reflected. “That got me into somewhat of a groove and back in the golf tournament.” His back nine was a masterclass in resilience, with birdies on the 14th and 17th holes pushing him to one over par for the tournament, setting a formidable clubhouse target.
As MacIntyre watched from the scorer’s room, the leaderboard told a story of collapse and opportunity. Sam Burns, the overnight leader, stumbled with a double-bogey on the 15th after a controversial ruling denied him relief from casual water. Tyrrell Hatton, who briefly shared the lead, faltered with a bogey-bogey finish, while Adam Scott and others succumbed to the course’s unrelenting demands. For a fleeting moment, it seemed MacIntyre’s score might hold up, potentially earning him a playoff or even the outright victory.
Enter J.J. Spaun, whose improbable comeback stole the spotlight. After a disastrous front nine that included five bogeys in his first six holes, Spaun rallied after the rain delay, birdieing four of his final seven holes. His defining moment came on the 18th, where a 65-foot birdie putt found the cup, clinching a two-shot victory at one under par. MacIntyre, watching the putt drop on a television screen, reacted with a mix of disbelief and sportsmanship, offering a heartfelt clap and a simple “Wow” as Spaun celebrated. “He won the golf tournament,” MacIntyre told reporters. “Fair play. I mean, he’s dreamed of it. I’ve dreamed of it. For him to pour in the winning putt, nothing I can do.”
Despite the heartbreak, MacIntyre’s performance was a career-defining moment. His solo second-place finish, two strokes behind Spaun, marked his best result in a major, surpassing his previous high of a tie for sixth at the 2019 Open Championship. The $2.32 million prize money was a career-high paycheck, adding to his $5 million earned on the PGA Tour in 2025. More importantly, his display of class in defeat—applauding Spaun’s winning putt—earned him widespread admiration. Social media posts from outlets like BBC Sport Scotland and the DP World Tour praised his effort, with one noting, “You’ve done Scotland proud.”
MacIntyre’s journey to this point has been one of steady ascent. A former shinty player who didn’t focus on golf until age 17, he burst onto the professional scene with a standout rookie season in 2019, earning the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award. His two PGA Tour wins in 2024—the RBC Canadian Open and Genesis Scottish Open—demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level. His undefeated record at the 2023 Ryder Cup further solidified his reputation as a clutch performer.
As he left Oakmont, MacIntyre carried no trophy, but his performance spoke volumes. “I’ve put three solid rounds together,” he said, reflecting on his scores of 70, 74, and 69 before the final 68. “I just trusted myself and my caddie.” With his major breakthrough tantalizingly close, MacIntyre’s time appears to be coming. For now, he remains a symbol of Scottish grit, a golfer who thrives when the stakes are highest and the conditions toughest.
