JJ Spaun had the most wholesome exchange with his daughter after US Open win
JJ Spaun had arguably the best Father’s Day imaginable on Sunday, and his daughter seemed to realize how special the day was once the sun went down.
Spaun won the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., after finishing -1 for the tournament. He was one shot ahead of clubhouse leader Robert MacIntyre on the 18th green and needed a two-putt par to win. Rather than flirting with disaster, Spaun drained an incredible a birdie putt from 64.5 feet to seal the win.
Spaun’s wife, Melody, and two daughters, Emerson and Violet, were at Oakmont to witness JJ win his first ever major. Spaun carried his daughters to the clubhouse to sign his scorecard after the win.
Winning the US Open on Father’s Day, in that style, with your 2 daughters…. What a day for J.J. Spaun! pic.twitter.com/WT4PdLjs0f
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) June 16, 2025
Spaun and his family then returned to the 18th green for the presentation of the U.S. Open Championship Trophy. Since there was a weather delay during the final round, it was pitch black by the time the on-course festivities wrapped up.
Realizing this, Spaun’s older daughter Emerson could be heard telling her dad, “Dada, we’ve got to leave, it’s bedtime.” Spaun responded by telling his daughter, “We’re staying up late tonight.” The little girl then jumped for joy.
“We’re staying up late tonight!” 😂
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) June 16, 2025
A major win changes bedtime just a bit. pic.twitter.com/vHs9QSUn10
Spaun had a series of relatable dad moments after he won the U.S. Open, but that was easily the best one.
The victory for Spaun was made even more remarkable by the fact that he caught one of the worst breaks of the tournament early on in his round. It looked like he was set up for potential heartbreak at one point, but his Father’s Day wound up being close to perfect.
Joey Chestnut reveals his status for 2025 Hot Dog Eating Contest
The undisputed king of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is making a comeback this year.
Joey Chestnut announced on Monday that he will compete in the 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on the 4th of July in Coney Island, N.Y. Chestnut said in an Instagram post that he is “thrilled” to return to the event after he was not allowed to compete last year.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” Chestnut wrote. “This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.
“While I have and continue to partner with a variety of companies, including some in the plant-based space, those relationships were never a conflict with my love for hot dogs. To be clear: Nathan’s is the only hot dog company I’ve ever worked with.
“I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I’m grateful we’ve been able to find common ground.
“I’m excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands!
“Stay hungry!”
Prior to the 2024 Hot Dog Eating Contest, Chestnut had competed in the annual event every year since 2004. He has won the contest a record 16 times and had won it all but one year since 2007 before he was ruled ineligible last year.
Chestnut was banned from last year’s Hot Dog Eating Contest after he signed an endorsement deal with vegan brand Impossible Foods. He had previously been offered a huge contract to turn down the vegan brand and continue competing in the Nathan’s competition.
The 41-year-old Chestnut is by far the most popular draw that the Hot Dog Eating Contest has ever had. In 2023, he exerted his influence and endeared himself to fans even further when he refused to allow the contest to be canceled due to bad weather. The year before, Chestnut put a protestor in a chokehold and slammed the guy to the ground in the middle of the contest.
After he was ousted from the Nathan’s competition last year, Chestnut instead squared off against fellow competitive eating legend Takeru Kobayashi in a hot dog eating contest that was streamed live on Netflix. Chestnut beat Kobayashi and shattered his own previous world record, which he set at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2021.
Report: Rafael Devers refused to make 1 change for Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday in a stunning deal, and the slugger’s refusal to make one change in recent weeks was reportedly a catalyst behind the move.
Devers has been traded to San Francisco for what most view as an underwhelming package of MLB players and prospects. While Devers has sorted out his issues at the plate following a slow start to the season, it sounds as though his relationship with the Red Sox was tarnished beyond repair.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Red Sox wanted Devers to play first base after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury in early May. When Devers was asked about the possibility of playing first after Casas went down, he responded by ripping Boston’s front office and accusing them of lying.
The day after Devers made those comments, Passan says Red Sox owner John Henry, president Sam Kennedy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow flew to Kansas City, where Boston was playing. The Red Sox’s brass met with Devers, but it apparently did not go well.
Passan reports that Devers’ refusal to play first base in the weeks since that meeting “led to internal tension and helped facilitate the (trade).”
Devers, who is a below-average defensive player, was openly unhappy with the Red Sox after they moved him to designated hitter prior to the season. The move was a no-brainer after Boston signed Alex Bregman, who won a Gold Glove Award as a third baseman last season. Still, Devers was so angry with the decision that he did not rule out requesting a trade.
The Red Sox likely feel that Devers should have been willing to do anything the team asked of him, especially after he signed a 10-year, $313.5 million extension in 2023. Devers seemed more interested in proving a point by not playing first base after Boston already forced him into becoming a DH.
New info emerges about Suns’ asking price in Kevin Durant trade
The Phoenix Suns would prefer to trade Kevin Durant before the upcoming NBA Draft, and it appears they have tempered their expectations for what the return might look like.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line wrote on Saturday that the Suns are looking for “at least one meaningful selection” in the June 25 draft in return for Durant. That would seemingly suggest that Phoenix does not expect to get multiple first-round picks in return for their 15-time NBA All-Star.
The Suns gave up a massive haul when they acquired Durant from the Brooklyn Nets at the 2022-23 trade deadline. Phoenix traded Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four unprotected first-round picks for Durant. There was also a first-round pick swap in the deal.
According to Marc Stein, the Suns “know they won’t be able to come anywhere close” to recouping the assets they surrendered when they acquired Durant more than two years ago.
Though he continued to play at an elite level this season with 26.6 points per game, Durant will turn 37 in September. He is also on an expiring contract and set to make $54.7 million in the final year of his deal next season. Even with Durant being one of the best players in NBA history, teams will likely be hesitant to mortgage their futures for him given his age, contract situation and injury history.
The good news for Phoenix is that there are reportedly plenty of suitors for Durant. The talks appear to be down to three finalists, and there is at least one other team that could potentially make a late push to land Durant.
Most people expect a Durant trade to be completed sooner rather than later, so it would be a surprise if the two-time NBA Finals MVP remains with the Suns through the draft.
Myles Garrett threw out first pitch wearing enormous pants
Myles Garrett threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Sunday’s Texas Rangers-Chicago White Sox game, and he did so wearing some enormous pants.
Garrett, who is from Arlington, Texas, got to throw out the first pitch for his hometown team at Globe Life Field in Arlington. The Cleveland Browns defensive lineman was wearing a Rangers jersey and some huge pants.
Arlington’s own @Flash_Garrett! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/ZJlfOjhvoE
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) June 15, 2025
Garrett had the MC Hammer look going. He threw high on his first pitch, which went to his father, who was unable to make the catch.
#Browns Myles Garrett and his father shared a special Father's Day moment by throwing out the first pitch at today's Rangers game.
— Ashly Holder (@AshNoelleTV) June 16, 2025
🎥: Rangers pic.twitter.com/ttedhINBX6
It wasn’t the best effort for the Garretts, but the opportunity to throw out a first pitch as a father-son combination is pretty special. Now we just need Garrett to take his outfit and go star in a music video remix of “Can’t Touch This.”
Rafael Devers had ironic final quote before Red Sox traded him
Rafael Devers’ final quote as a member of the Boston Red Sox was interesting, to say the least.
The Red Sox rocked the MLB landscape when they traded Devers to the San Francisco Giants on Friday night. The trade was announced hours after Devers led the Red Sox to a three-game sweep of their rival New York Yankees at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass.
Devers spoke to reporters shortly after the 2-0 win over New York. The 28-year-old slugger was asked about the season-long tension between him and the Red Sox brain trust, and whether those issues were behind them.
“That’s in the past,” Devers replied through a translator, via The Athletic’s Jen McCaffery.
The question was the last Devers answered before hopping on the team bus bound for the airport. Boston reportedly had a 7:05 p.m. flight scheduled to fly Northwest to take on the Seattle Mariners. Devers never boarded the flight. He instead took an Uber to meet with his new team.
It’s possible Devers knew the deal was in the works, but decided to keep mum until the news broke publicly. But Devers did not sound like a man unaffiliated with the Red Sox in his earlier answers. He used the words “we” and “us” to describe the team’s progress following the weekend sweep over the Yankees.
In all fairness to Devers, his beef with the Red Sox is very much in the past. His final quote rings true now more than ever.
Report: Travis Kelce has undergone major body transformation
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has reportedly shed significant weight heading into his 13th NFL season.
Kelce, who the Chiefs last listed at 250 pounds, had a down year in 2024. Through 16 games, Kelce tallied 823 yards and 3 touchdowns — both career lows over a full season. His underperformance may have prompted him to make a major shift this offseason.
The Chiefs star is set to “debut a bit of a slimmer look” once Kansas City’s mandatory minicamp kicks off on Tuesday. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Kelce has informed people in his circle that he has shed “about 25 pounds” after playing at a relatively heavier weight the previous year.
Kelce has been one of the league’s most productive tight ends for over a decade. But the 35-year-old appeared to lose a step last season. There were legitimate questions about whether or not Kelce would call it a career after a dozen NFL seasons.
Those questions were put to rest when the four-time All-Pro told Pat McAfee in February that he was “coming back for sure” after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles left a “real bad taste” in his mouth.
Kelce also promised to get in the best shape of his life to help the Chiefs reclaim their spot atop the NFL’s hierarchy. If Fowler’s report is accurate, Kelce has so far made good on his promise.
Titans completely botch their Father’s Day post
The Tennessee Titans completely botched a post they made in celebration of Father’s Day on Sunday.
The Titans attempted to wish a happy Father’s Day to their fans via social media. The problem is they made a big mistake with the text of the post.
“Happy Father’s Day to all the Titans moms and fatherly figures!” the text read.
Damn we can’t even do Father’s Day right smh @Titans pic.twitter.com/mLbnOC98g9
— Coach Bud 🍊 (@AverageVolFan) June 15, 2025
Why would the Titans be thanking Titans moms on Father’s Day? They really shouldn’t be, but there is one explanation for it. The Titans appeared to copy and paste their Mother’s Day post, which said:
“Happy Mother’s Day to all the Titans moms and motherly figures!”
When copy paste goes horribly wrong pic.twitter.com/LQ5TprA0qr
— Zach Lyons (@TheZachLyons) June 15, 2025
Whoever did the social media post remembered to switch “Mother’s Day” to “Father’s Day” and changed it to fatherly figures, but they forgot to change the “Titans moms” part. Whoops. They ended up deleting the post.
Gilbert Arenas shares conspiracy theory about the Knicks’ head coaching search
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas smells something fishy going on with the New York Knicks’ search for their next head coach.
Fans have piled on the Knicks this offseason due to their ill-fated efforts to try to replace Tom Thibodeau. New York has been linked to several sitting head coaches, such as Ime Udoka, Jason Kidd, and Chris Finch. Unsurprisingly, the team has reportedly been denied access to speak to any of their currently employed targets.
On a recent episode of his “Gil’s Arena” podcast, Arenas shared his theory on why the Knicks have taken such an unusual approach. The former Washington Wizards star called it a “smart” strategy to lay the groundwork for Jalen Brunson’s father, Rick Brunson, to be named the team’s next head coach.
“You’re coach is right here, it’s [Jalen Brunson’s] father. But you can’t just give him the job. What you’re doing is, you’re offering a job to people that already got a job, knowing what the answer is,” Arenas said of the Knicks’ coaching search.
“So you’re pretending for the world that you’re actually looking for [a new head coach], and then you’re going to ‘settle’ for Rick. ‘Ah, we couldn’t find anybody. Everybody rejected the job, so we’re just going to give it to Rick.’ Y’all are slick!”
Rick Brunson, a former Knicks player himself, joined the team’s coaching staff in June 2022 as an assistant under Thibodeau. His arrival came about a month before Jalen signed with New York as a free agent.
Some Knicks players and staff have reportedly had conflicting feelings about Rick’s weighty presence behind the scenes.
While Arenas has been known for sharing some outrageous takes over the years, the idea that Rick Brunson ends up as the Knicks’ head coach does not seem all that far-fetched.
Shohei Ohtani’s return date as a pitcher has been announced
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be getting the full Shohei Ohtani experience sooner than expected.
Ohtani has been working his way back to pitching form since his Sept. 2023 surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Ohtani, who has been pitching to live hitters since May, hinted over the weekend that his Dodgers pitching debut was near.
The Dodgers took all of one day to announce an official return date. The team posted Sunday night that Shohei was scheduled to pitch on Monday night against the San Diego Padres opposite ace Dylan Cease.
Shohei Ohtani will be the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow night against the San Diego Padres.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 16, 2025
Ohtani was so dominant at the plate in his first season with the Dodgers that some fans may have forgotten what he can do on the mound.
The two-way star had a 3.01 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP across 86 starts during his time with the Los Angeles Angels. He led the American League with 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings during the 2022 campaign.
Ohtani’s return as a pitcher could not have come at a better time for the Dodgers. Injuries to key names such as Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell have decimated the team’s vaunted pitching staff.
With Ohtani about to pitch and Clayton Kershaw pitching like it’s 2015, the Dodgers could start to take control of the National League once again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo fires back at Stephen A. Smith’s comments about him
Stephen A. Smith has managed to tick off another NBA star.
The ESPN personality Smith went viral this week over his comments about Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward Antetokounmpo. Amid renewed speculation over Antetokounmpo’s future and whether or not he will pursue a trade from Milwaukee, Smith decided to speak on Antetokounmpo’s legacy.
Most notably, Smith said that Antetokounmpo would be an “underachiever” if he did not win another NBA title. Smith noted Antetokounmpo’s career accomplishments but also referenced the fact that Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have not won a playoff series since 2022 (which Smith called “unacceptable”).
Stephen A. Smith says he will consider Giannis Antetokounmpo an “underachiever” if he doesn’t win another ring
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 13, 2025
(@FirstTake / h/t @ClutchPoints )
pic.twitter.com/d3doeDTE2p
In a post to his Instagram Story on Sunday, Antetokounmpo responded to Smith’s comments. Antetokounmpo reposted a message from a fan that read, “Giannis went from selling sunglasses on a beach in Greece to a multi-millionaire who won a championship without having to run to a superteam. He has over-achieved his wildest dreams and anyone who thinks otherwise is ridiculous.”
Antetokounmpo added a couple of “100” emojis as well as a fire emoji to a screenshot of the post.
Giannis Antetokounmpo response to Stephen A Smith calling him a potential “underachiever”
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 16, 2025
(h/t @BucksShowYo) pic.twitter.com/PORaweeF7A
Indeed, Antetokounmpo’s legacy is secure no matter what, especially after leading the Bucks, the team that drafted him, to the 2021 NBA title as the Finals MVP. Antetokounmpo is also a two-time league MVP, a nine-time All-Star, and a Defensive Player of the Year winner at just 30 years old.
It is also well-documented too that Antetokounmpo grew up in poverty in Greece along with his four brothers. Antetokounmpo himself has spoken about how they often went hungry during childhood, so it is safe to say The Greek Freak’s story is one of astounding success, no matter what any hot-take pundit tries to say.
Red Sox fans in utter shambles over Rafael Devers trade
Boston Red Sox fans have seen this movie before.
The Red Sox traded their franchise player to another marquee MLB team for a relatively meager return. The statement applies just as well in February 2020, when Boston traded Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, as it does in June 2025, when Boston agreed to send Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants.
Full details on the Devers trade can be found here.
Red Sox supporters went through the full gamut of emotions after news of the Devers deal became public. Many had flashbacks to when the team dealt Betts over five years ago.
Red Sox may have just made two of the worst trades in baseball the last 10 years
— Jake (@D1SCHER) June 15, 2025
Mookie and Devers for actual bags of chips
The Red Sox really said to themselves, “I know it’s been five years and everyone already hates us for it and thinks we’re complete idiots, but how do we make the Mookie Betts trade look even worse? I got it. Let’s trade Rafael Devers a year and a half into his 10-year deal.”
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) June 16, 2025
Thinking Devers was a Sox lifer after experiencing the Mookie trade pic.twitter.com/5CO4NrkS9U
— Z 🇯🇲 (@FinsAreFrauds) June 15, 2025
Others considered the future rather than the past, with fans lamenting the middling pitchers meant to replace Devers’ immense value to the team.
You traded 2 hall of famers in the span of 5 years for Alex verdugo, Connor Wong, Jeter downs, Jordan hicks, and Kyle Harrison
— KutterIsKing (@KutterIsKing) June 15, 2025
One of the main pieces of the Rafael Devers trade
— AT (@YankeeWRLD) June 15, 2025
Actual tears streaming down my face pic.twitter.com/EhhrFDyfJd
Jordan Hicks is 5-12 with a 4.83 ERA and 1.478 WHIP since the start of the 2024 season.
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) June 15, 2025
Kyle Harrison has a 4.48 ERA in 39 career MLB outings. A 4.32 ERA in Triple-A.
Tibbs is an outfield prospect in high-A ball.
Jose Bello is in rookie ball.
Crazy trade. https://t.co/815TYl2Cyd
Devers spent his first nine MLB seasons with the Red Sox. He earned three All-Star nods and received MVP votes in five different campaigns. The 28-year-old .279 with a career OPS of .858 across over a thousand games in a Red Sox uniform.
The Dominican slugger was in the second year of the 10-year, $313.5 million contract he signed with Boston in 2023. At the time, Red Sox fans would have never predicted Devers to be gone before even reaching a fifth of his deal.
Devers had been feuding with the Red Sox brass since the offseason over the team’s decision to move him from third base to DH. The strain caused by the internal disagreements likely had a hand in Devers being put on the trading block.
Ex-strikeouts leader plans to retire soon
One veteran hurler appears to be coming into the home stretch of his MLB career.
Matt Gelb of The Athletic wrote a lengthy feature this week on Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler. In the feature, Gelb revealed that Wheeler plans to retire after the expiration of his current contract in 2027.
“Wheeler is unequivocal: When this $126 million contract expires at the end of the 2027 season, he is done with baseball,” Gelb wrote. “He has four kids at home who need a dad. He stares whenever anyone questions that.”
You can read Gelb’s full article on Wheeler here.
The righty Wheeler turned 35 years old last month and will be 37 years old upon the conclusion of his contract. A two-time MLB All-Star as well as the NL strikeouts leader in the 2021 season with 247, Wheeler is still very much at the top of his game. In fact, Wheeler’s 2024 season was so dominant that he even cost Chris Sale a unanimous NL Cy Young Award victory.
Through 13 starts so far this year, Wheeler has gone 6-2 with a 2.85 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, and 101 strikeouts over 81.0 total innings pitched. That makes for the best K/9 mark (11.1) of Wheeler’s entire 11-year MLB career.
Still, Wheeler has had his fair share of injuries in the past, including a 2015 Tommy John surgery that kept him out of action for over two full years. After the 2027 season, the wear-and-tear on Wheeler’s body might be too great for him to continue his career (and be away from his children) for any longer.
Fans all have same complaint about NBA Finals schedule
Many basketball fans are feeling like their holiday weekend is a little bit lacking.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers are currently locked in a tough battle during this year’s NBA Finals (which are now tied 2-2). Oklahoma City managed to even the series by winning Game 4 on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.
However, Game 5 of the series is not until Monday. That gives the teams a two-day break in between games … but also notably means that no game was played on Sunday night during Father’s Day.
Countless fans (and even former NBA All-Star Baron Davis) took to social media on Sunday to complain about the lack of NBA Finals action on Father’s Day. Take a look at some of the posts below.
Just realized no Finals on Fathers Day. Game 5 ? I’m so upset. wtf am I supposed to do now
— Baron Davis (@BaronDavis) June 15, 2025
Why is there not a nba finals game on fathers day man tf is wrong with adam silver
— 3DayWeekend is out now (@thegeorgeyoung) June 15, 2025
No Finals game on Fathers Day. Adam Silver will pay for his crimes
— MAADY (@MaadyBK67) June 15, 2025
I don’t know why they changed up the Finals schedule but i feel like we should have the NBA Finals on Father’s Day every year pic.twitter.com/rhxngqbc50
— 73-9 and THEY LIED (@CuffsTheLegend) June 15, 2025
The NBA has gone with two days in between games for every instance in the Finals that involves travel (as Game 5 is shifting over to Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, O.K.). But considering that the Finals had long been locked in for a June 5 start date, many felt that the league could have done a better job tweaking the schedule to ensure that a game would be played on Father’s Day.
Despite this year’s Finals matchup being between two small-market teams, the game action has at least been plenty exciting. But this is far from the first logistical issue that has drawn the ire of fans during the 2025 Finals.
Red Sox had unfortunate Rafael Devers post hours before trade
The baseball gods certainly have one wicked sense of humor.
The Boston Red Sox made the staggering move on Sunday of trading away star slugger Rafael Devers. He was sent to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for a fairly underwhelming return package.
Boston had just played earlier in the day against the New York Yankees, winning by a 2-0 final score. One of those Red Sox runs came on a solo home run in the fifth inning by (who else?) Devers.
To celebrate the homer at the time, the Red Sox posted to their official X page with the message, “That is… GONE!” to go along with a graphic of Devers.
That is… GONE! pic.twitter.com/mi4lwcU65y
— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 15, 2025
Absurdly enough though, it was Devers who was himself gone within just a few hours of that post. He homered at just after 3 PM EST, and the trade news broke at just before 7 PM EST.
A Devers trade might not have been entirely unpredictable, especially given the recent issues between the three-time All-Star and the Red Sox organization (culminating a few months ago with Devers publicly calling out the team). But the timing of the trade, especially with Devers still signed through the 2033 season, certainly caught many off-guard.
Ultimately, Boston will be hoping to benefit by getting off the over $250 million still remaining on Devers’ contract, which San Francisco is assuming in full. They also now no longer have the distraction of an unhappy franchise player (though that will likely come at the cost of true postseason contention for the 37-36 Red Sox).
Robert MacIntyre had amazing reaction to JJ Spaun beating him via 65-foot putt
Robert MacIntyre was all of us while watching JJ Spaun sink his now-iconic birdie to win the 2025 US Open.
Spaun etched his name into US Open history on Tuesday in the best way possible. He drained an incredible 65-foot putt to seal his first major win at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa.
What set MacIntyre apart from the fans watching Spaun in admiration was that the Scottish golfer needed him to miss a couple of putts to force a playoff. MacIntyre finished his weekend +1, while Spaun sat at even as he attempted the birdie putt.
Instead of feeling frustrated after watching Spaun beat him, MacIntyre applauded him in admiration.
“Wow,” Bobby Mac said as he clapped from the clubhouse.
Bobby Mac applauding J.J's winning putt.
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) June 16, 2025
Pure class.pic.twitter.com/SpxgXjPD9p
MacIntyre lost out on about $2 million in prize money by finishing second instead of first. Spaun’s US Open victory netted him a cool $4.3 million, while MacIntyre’s second-place finish earned him $2.32 million.
Bobby Mac clearly wasn’t thinking about the money. The 28-year-old’s reaction was simply pure class, and several fans online agreed.
Never liked that dude. Now I’m a fan. Class indeed.
— MarkE (@MRE1821) June 16, 2025
Played great, classy guy, what are you gonna do – 64 feet to win, well done JJ.
— _Out_Of_Office (@June_Street1) June 16, 2025
First thing I thought when I saw this was “what a class act.”
— Missouri Dave (@MissouriDave1) June 16, 2025
It’s only fitting that Spaun, a father to two daughters, won the US Open on Father’s Day. MacIntyre is a year removed from giving his own father one of the greatest Father’s Day gifts imaginable on the golf course.
Viktor Hovland had 5-word message for JJ Spaun after US Open
Viktor Hovland was in the same playing group with JJ Spaun on Sunday during the final round of the US Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., and he was one of the first people to congratulate Spaun on winning the event. He even had a message for Spaun afterwards.
Spaun made a ridiculous birdie putt from 64.5 feet away on the final hole to secure his victory. That helped him beat Robert MacIntyre by two strokes and Hovland by three strokes.
After Spaun made his crazy putt, Hovland came over to say congratulations.
“That was impressive dude, congrats,” Hovland said to Spaun.
“That was impressive dude, congrats.”
— Christopher Powers (@CPowers14) June 16, 2025
Mad respect from Viktor Hovland to JJ Spaun.
Sports still undefeated pic.twitter.com/QYk28u68Mx
That was a perfect description. The shot and final round Spaun put together was completely impressive.
Though he came up short of the win, Hovland had a great finish himself. He shot a 71, 68, 70 and 73 to finish the tournament +2. That is his best finish at the US Open and the second-best major finish of his career (he finished tied for second at the PGA Championship in 2023).
This is also by far the best major performance of Spaun’s career. Prior to winning the US Open, a tied for 23rd finish at the 2022 Masters had been his best career result.
JJ Spaun makes ridiculous birdie putt to win US Open
JJ Spaun saved his best for last on Sunday.
Spaun won the 125th US Open by two strokes thanks to the best putt of the week. Spaun made a birdie putt on 18 from 64.5 feet away, which was the longest putt by anyone at the event held at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa.
Knowing he was only one stroke ahead of Robert MacIntyre and two ahead of Viktor Hovland, Spaun went for it all.
WHAT A PUTT!!!!
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 16, 2025
J.J. SPAUN WINS THE U.S. OPEN!!!! pic.twitter.com/EWdYQeDAzF
That was unbelievable. That putt helped Spaun finish -1 for the tournament.
That wasn’t the only impressive putt made by Spaun in the final round.
J.J. SPAUN! 40 FEET FOR BIRDIE! 🐥
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 15, 2025
He's one back. pic.twitter.com/bYLYL9Y1zh
Spaun made 137 feet of putts over the final seven holes. His putt on 18 was the longest of them all. He was able to get the win despite catching one of the worst breaks of the final round.
Ryan Blaney almost had a bathroom emergency during Sunday’s race
Ryan Blaney managed to survive Sunday’s NASCAR race in Mexico City without a crash, or a bathroom emergency.
Blaney admitted he got sick prior to the Viva Mexico 250 in Mexico City on Sunday, and he was genuinely concerned about making a mess in his pants. After the race, he jokingly turned and had reporter Jeff Gluck check the back of his white suit and ask “Am I good?”
Gluck confirmed that Blaney was, in fact, good, and made it through the race unscathed despite the illness.
Sometimes these things happen, and Blaney seemed prepared to deal with it. Fortunately, it didn’t come to that, and he did not deal with a Shaq moment at any point during Sunday’s race.
Blaney actually managed a respectable 14th-place finish despite his illness. He is seventh overall in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, and is presumably pleased with what he had to overcome on Sunday. Perhaps his bad luck is starting to turn a little bit.
Shohei Ohtani could return soon as a pitcher
Shohei Ohtani continues to slug for the Los Angeles Dodgers as a hitter, and he is getting closer to returning as a pitcher.
Ohtani threw three simulated innings for the Dodgers on Tuesday. He has been facing live hitters since May and told reporters on Saturday night that he is getting very close to being in game shape.
“I think it has a lot to do with pitch counts, but with the last live BP, I felt like the intensity was there and my stuff was game-ready,” Ohtani said after hitting two home runs in his Dodgers’ 11-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
The Dodgers have been saying that Ohtani is likely to return as a pitcher after the All-Star break, which is the week of July 15. Ohtani is set to face hitters again in the upcoming week. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it was possible this would be Ohtani’s last time facing live hitters before pitching in a real game.
Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani will face hitters again early next week.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) June 15, 2025
Could this be his last time doing so before pitching in a big league game? “Potentially.” https://t.co/PXeZFjFFct
Ohtani is coming back from surgery he underwent in Sept. 2023 to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. That operation marked Ohtani’s second major surgery on his pitching elbow after a Tommy John procedure in 2018.
Though it’s been over a year and a half since Ohtani has pitched in MLB, he says he is eager to get back to it, since being a two-way player is what he is most used to. Ohtani entered Sunday batting .290 with a 1.023 OPS and 25 home runs. In 2023 as a pitcher, Ohtani went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA. The Dodgers appear to view anything he does as a pitcher as “additive” to the great performance he’s already giving them as a hitter.
