I just tried to dig deep,” said the 34-year-old Californian who can now call himself a major champion. “I've been doing it my whole life.”

Bogey, bogey, bogey, par, bogey, bogey. It’s a helluva way to start the most important round of your life.

J.J. Spaun turned a sloppy mess of a U.S. Open at wet and nasty Oakmont into a thing of beauty at the end Sunday with two stunning shots that carried him to his first major championship. First came his driver on the 314-yard 17th hole onto the green for a birdie that gave him the lead.