On June 20th, 2025, Scottie Scheffler and Austin Eckroat fired eight-under 62s to co-lead Round 1 of the Travelers Championship, a day marked by Jordan Spieth's first career withdrawal and Wyndham Clark's public apology.

• Scottie Scheffler and Austin Eckroat surged to the top of the Travelers Championship leaderboard with eight-under 62s, Scheffler highlighting his round in tough afternoon winds with a "phenomenal" eagle on 13.
• Supporting Scheffler's stellar play, he described his driving iron from a fairway bunker on 13 as one of those shots where "very rarely... you hit exactly how you intend to."
• Co-leader Austin Eckroat's 62 was a career low, achieved at TPC River Highlands, the memorable site of his "first professional start" in 2021, for which he expressed deep gratitude.

• Rory McIlroy bounced back with a bogey-free 64, calling the course a "nice tonic," while Wyndham Clark also carded a 64 and delivered a significant press conference apology for the U.S. Open locker room incident.
• Scheffler strongly defended TPC River Highlands, stating, "a proper test is good shots being rewarded and bad shots being punished," and called focusing on a specific winning score "silly."
• In shocking news, Jordan Spieth recorded his first career PGA Tour withdrawal after 13 holes due to an upper back and neck injury, lamenting, "My right scapula locked up."

• Keegan Bradley matched McIlroy's 64, energized by "hometown kid" support, while Cameron Young shot 65 despite an opening double bogey, with his father caddying for him.
• Course conditions were noted as windy, especially in the afternoon, though more forgiving than Oakmont, with Robert Damron describing the rough as "frog hairs." Collin Morikawa experimented by playing some shots gloveless.
• ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter made his PGA TOUR LIVE debut as an on-course reporter, expressing his excitement: "this to me is like a huge present, a gift."

Davis Riley's impressive 66 as a last-minute alternate • Jason Day battles through injury for a solid 66 • Justin Thomas praises Scheffler's course defense comments on Instagram

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On June 19th, 2025, the golf world buzzed with Brian Rolapp's PGA Tour CEO appointment, drawing mixed player reactions, while Rory McIlroy geared up for the Travelers and The Open eyed a historic Irish venue.

• Brian Rolapp's appointment as PGA Tour CEO on June 18th sparked varied responses, from Rory McIlroy's optimism about his NFL experience to Lucas Glover's pointed criticism of Tour governance and player representation.
• Lucas Glover: "Hiding behind pace of play, I think challenges our intelligence. They think we're stupid."
• Scottie Scheffler, like McIlroy, highlighted Rolapp's NFL background as a positive, assuming the news was "generally well received by the players," contrasting sharply with Glover's dissent.

• Rory McIlroy, preparing for the Travelers Championship, now calls TPC River Highlands the "perfect chaser" after a U.S. Open, a significant shift from previously deeming the course "obsolete."
• McIlroy: "Excited to come back and play again" after a major.
• McIlroy shared his Pro-Am strategy: offer green-reading help but avoid swing advice, advocating "boring" percentage golf for amateurs. He also aced the 8th hole here in 2023.

• U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun revealed a deep personal tie to the Travelers Championship through Andy Bessette and JDRF, a connection solidified by an "Umbrella Challenge" win around his Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
• Spaun's daughter Violet was born during Travelers week two years ago, making his arrival that year a "wild" journey.
• Today, June 19th, marks his daughter Violet's birthday, adding another layer to his Travelers experience.

• Sebastian Muñoz and Carlos Ortiz shed light on their moves to Liv Golf, emphasizing the allure of increased personal and family time, alongside the unique "once in a lifetime" team aspect.
• Carlos Ortiz: The team aspect was a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.
• Both players highlighted the desire to spend more time with family as a primary driver for joining the new league.

• R&A CEO Mark Darbon confirmed serious consideration for Portmarnock, Ireland, as a future Open Championship venue, praising the "Wonderful links golf course" while clarifying it's within the "British Isles" historical context.
• Darbon (June 18th): "We're serious... We're having a proper look at it."
• This potential move to Ireland is seen as an expansion within historical boundaries, not a signal for globalizing The Open's venues beyond the British Isles.

Travelers Championship in focus this week • Rory's 2023 TPC River Highlands ace recalled • J.J. Spaun's daughter turns two today (June 19th)

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On June 18th, 2025, we dissect the R&A's potential historic move of The Open to Portmarnock, Rory McIlroy's Ryder Cup comments and attitude, analyze major championship fallouts for DJ and JT, and preview the upcoming Travelers and KPMG Women's PGA.

• The R&A is seriously considering Portmarnock in Ireland as a future Open Championship venue, a potential historic first outside the UK. R&A CEO Mark Darbon confirmed they're having a "proper look."
• "We're serious. We're having a proper look at it," - R&A CEO Mark Darbon, who also clarified The Open wouldn't become a global tour, stating, "the home territory of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews is the British Isles, basically."
• Darbon praised Portmarnock's "wonderful links" quality, fueling excitement for a potential groundbreaking shift for golf's oldest major.

• Rory McIlroy has secured his Ryder Cup spot for Bethpage Black and controversially stated, "I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do," amidst observations of his recent "ornery, cranky attitude."
• "I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do." - Rory McIlroy.
• This comes as Dan Rappaport described Rory's demeanor as "ornery, cranky," and Scott Van Pelt was reportedly "baffled" by his pissed-off disposition.

• Dustin Johnson's major future is under scrutiny after his sixth missed cut in eight majors. Justin Thomas also continues to struggle, missing the U.S. Open cut with rounds of 76-76.
• Dan Rapaport on DJ: "I think Dustin Johnson's done winning majors." On JT: He's "putting up way too many stinkers in them."
• Rapaport likened DJ to "a grandpa on his porch," while The Open now looms as JT's last chance to salvage his 2025 major season.

• The Travelers Championship tees off June 19th, featuring key first-round pairings like Rory McIlroy/Keegan Bradley (10:35 am) and U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun with defending Travelers champion Scottie Scheffler (1:45 pm).
• Withdrawals include Corey Conners (wrist injury, replaced by Jhonattan Vegas), Justin Rose (prior commitment), and Billy Horschel (hip surgery).
• Local interest stories include Humphrey the security dog and the Women's Day Breakfast, adding unique charm to the PGA Tour event.

• J.J. Spaun, fresh off his U.S. Open victory, has climbed to #8 in the OWGR and #3 in U.S. Ryder Cup standings, emphasizing his grounded perspective on golf and life. Scottie Scheffler has also officially secured his Ryder Cup spot.
• Spaun on his outlook: "golf isn't my life," and focusing on "accepting whatever gets thrown my way."
• Both Spaun's incredible U.S. Open win and Scheffler's consistent excellence highlight their paths to Bethpage Black.

• The KPMG Women's PGA Championship, also starting June 19th, features an impressively increased purse of $12 million, underscoring a commitment to elevating the women's game.
• KPMG's Paul Knopp stated their aim is to "set the standard for excellence in Women's golf."
• Top players including Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko (if Yang refers to Amy Yang, or if it's a typo for Ko), Atthaya Thitikul, Mao Saigo, Maja Stark, and Carlota Ciganda will compete for this significant prize.

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On June 17th, 2025, we unpack the U.S. Open aftermath, from J.J. Spaun's historic win and Wyndham Clark's alleged locker room damage to Carlota Ciganda's LPGA victory and a look ahead to the Travelers.

• Marquee storyline: J.J. Spaun's emotional U.S. Open win, featuring caddie inspiration and a chaotic Father's Day, contrasts with Wyndham Clark's alleged locker room damage and strong finishes from Hatton & Ortiz.
• Supporting stat or quote: Spaun's caddie Mark Carens on a key read: "Look, Ed gave us a good read." Tyrrell Hatton on a tough 17th hole break: "is going to hurt a lot for a long time." Carlos Ortiz simply stated: "Oakmont happened."
• Human angle or fun fact: Spaun's win was L.A.B. Golf's first major (CEO Sam Hahn: "It's simply surreal"); he also battled his daughter's illness pre-round. Clark's alleged outburst drew comments from McDowell and Poulter on player frustrations.

• Marquee storyline: Carlota Ciganda ended an over eight-year winless drought with an emotional victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic, holding off Hye Jin Choi for a memorable triumph.
• Supporting stat or quote: "It feels amazing, obviously, after all these years," said Ciganda, highlighting the significance of her long-awaited win as players look towards the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
• Human angle or fun fact: Hye Jin Choi's costly bogey on the 17th hole proved crucial in the final round, while Lexi Thompson showed good form with a T4 finish.

• Marquee storyline: Shaun Norris conquered the Hana Bank Invitational on the Japan Golf Tour, while Palmer Jackson claimed victory at the Raiffeisenback Golf Challenge on the Challenge Tour.
• Supporting stat or quote: These international wins showcase the global reach of competitive golf and the diverse pathways to professional success for these talented players.
• Human angle or fun fact: Both Norris and Jackson celebrated significant career achievements, adding to the week's exciting golf narratives from around the world.

• Scheffler: Oakmont "hardest course I've ever played," felt "hit by a bus" post-major.
• McIlroy: Finds new "Everest" in Portrush Open; Hank Haney critical of his club toss.
• Rahm: Credits keeping it in play & lag putting for his final round 67 (T7).
• Hatton & Ortiz: Emotional T4s at Oakmont secure 2026 Masters & U.S. Open spots.
• Travelers Championship Preview: U.S. Open champ J.J. Spaun a +5000 longshot for upcoming Signature Event.

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On June 16th, 2025, J.J. Spaun captured his first major at the 125th U.S. Open, taming a "brute" Oakmont with a dramatic 65-foot putt after a pivotal weather delay, while 54-hole leaders faltered spectacularly.

• Marquee storyline: J.J. Spaun battled to be the sole player under par, securing his maiden major at Oakmont with a final round 72, highlighted by a stunning 65-foot birdie on the 18th after a crucial weather delay.
• Supporting stat or quote: Spaun credited the mid-round stoppage: "The weather delay changed the whole vibe of the day," turning his fortunes after five early bogeys. His winning score was one-under 279 (66-72-69-72).
• Human angle or fun fact: His victory was a testament to resilience on a day many others succumbed to Oakmont's pressure, especially after making that incredible 65-footer to seal it.

• Marquee storyline: The "brute" nature of Oakmont claimed its victims as 54-hole leaders Sam Burns and Adam Scott endured "gut wrenching collapses," their U.S. Open hopes dissolving in the final round pressure cooker.
• Supporting stat or quote: Burns stumbled to a 78, stating, "I didn't have my best stuff today," while Scott carded a 79.
• Human angle or fun fact: Adam Scott lamented a "really weak putt" on the sixth hole as a key moment his championship aspirations began to fade.

• Marquee storyline: Robert MacIntyre fired a brilliant 68 to finish runner-up. Viktor Hovland took third despite missed chances, while Rory McIlroy (Sunday 67) and Scottie Scheffler (T7) showed late form.
• Supporting stat or quote: MacIntyre embraced the challenge ("Why not it be me today?"), while Hovland called Spaun's winning putt "absolutely filthy" but rued his own "three five footers" missed. Tyrrell Hatton (T4) exclaimed, "What a putt to win. That's incredible."
• Human angle or fun fact: McIlroy, after his strong Sunday, admitted post-Masters "Everest" fatigue and asserted his right to manage media: "I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do."

• Marquee storyline: Oakmont Country Club reaffirmed its fearsome reputation, with a punishing 74.18 final round scoring average, "wet and nasty" conditions, and its 15th hole playing toughest, truly testing the elite field.
• Supporting stat or quote: The course's difficulty was underscored by its high scoring average and Matt Fitzpatrick's critique that conditions felt "unfair." Jon Rahm's final round 67 was a standout against the grain.
• Human angle or fun fact: Despite the brutal test, the drama it produced, culminating in Spaun's incredible win, made for an unforgettable U.S. Open. Carlos Ortiz also secured a T4 finish.

Justin Hastings claims low amateur honors • Corey Conners withdraws mid-tournament • Ryan Fox delivers a notable performance

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Recapping the U.S. Open at Oakmont through the completed first round and suspended second on June 14th, 2025, where Sam Burns fired a historic 65 to lead a "war of attrition" that saw stars struggle and many miss the cut.

• Sam Burns defied Oakmont's "war of attrition," firing a stunning second-round 65 to grab the U.S. Open lead at three-under, showcasing intense focus on a course where "There are no ‘gimme’ holes."
• Supporting stat or quote: Burns's 65 is historically significant; he called Oakmont's greens "exceptionally difficult."
• Human angle or fun fact: Scottie Scheffler described Burns as "hyper competitive."

• Round one leader J.J. Spaun (66) called his R2 72 a "true U.S. Open round" to sit at two-under, while Viktor Hovland (-1) noted the slow pace helped him "reset mentally." Adam Scott (E) believes his major window is still "Ajar."
• Supporting stat or quote: Spaun's R1 66 tied Oakmont's opening round low for a U.S. Open.
• Human angle or fun fact: Hovland found a silver lining in the slow play, using it to his mental advantage.

• Pre-tournament favorites stumbled: Scottie Scheffler (+4) admitted "Mentally, this was as tough as I've battled," Jon Rahm (+4) was "too annoyed," Rory McIlroy (+6) barely made the cut, and Brooks Koepka (+2) confessed to poor recent form.
• Supporting stat or quote: Scheffler insisted, "At the U.S. Open I don't think you're ever out of the tournament."
• Human angle or fun fact: Paul McGinley noted Rory McIlroy's "low energy" amid his continued media silence and visible frustration.

• The brutal +7 cut claimed major champions Bryson DeChambeau (+10), who found the rough "incredibly penalizing," Justin Thomas (+12), Dustin Johnson (+10), and Phil Mickelson (+8), as Oakmont lived up to its fearsome reputation.
• Supporting stat or quote: DeChambeau admitted the course "got me"; Tyrrell Hatton called the greens an "optical illusion."
• Human angle or fun fact: Denny McCarthy described playing Oakmont as "a punch in the face"; Si Woo Kim bluntly stated, "too hard for me."

Jason Day's R2 67 comeback • Patrick Reed's rare double eagle • Victor Perez's hole-in-one • Amateur Justin Hastings contending for low am • Pervasive slow pace of play • Unique 9th green also a practice area

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On June 13th, 2025, J.J. Spaun surprisingly led Round One of the 125th U.S. Open with a 4-under 66 at a punishing Oakmont, where many top players faltered and the course proved a severe test.

• Marquee storyline: J.J. Spaun defied expectations, carding a bogey-free 4-under 66 by 'grinding' to lead the U.S. Open, his first major lead, embracing an "uncomfortable" mindset.
• Supporting stat or quote: "I'd rather be uncomfortable than comfortable," Spaun stated, attributing his success to a "nothing to lose" mentality and navigating social media hype.
• Human angle or fun fact: Spaun kickstarted his round with a crucial chip-in on his first hole (the 10th) and successfully navigated the infamous Church Pews on hole 4 despite initial unfamiliarity.

• Marquee storyline: Oakmont lived up to its fearsome reputation, with players universally describing it as an extreme test of golf, challenging their skill and sanity from the very first round.
• Supporting stat or quote: Scottie Scheffler called it "probably the hardest golf course... maybe ever," Bryson DeChambeau stated it "challenges your sanity," and Robert MacIntyre felt every shot was "on a knife edge."
• Human angle or fun fact: Jordan Spieth termed the demanding conditions "pure golf," echoing the sentiment of many who found the historic course relentlessly challenging.

• Marquee storyline: Favorites Scottie Scheffler (+3) & Bryson DeChambeau (+3) struggled. Jon Rahm (-1) stayed patient. Brooks Koepka, Si Woo Kim & Sungjae Im hit 2-under, with Koepka crediting a coaching "scolding."
• Supporting stat or quote: Si Woo Kim, despite his 2-under 68, confessed, "this course is too hard for me." DeChambeau had three three-putts and a rules drama on hole 4, saved from a penalty by an official.
• Human angle or fun fact: Koepka felt his game was "starting to click" after coach Pete Cowen "scolded me pretty well," while Scheffler admitted to making "silly mistakes."

• Marquee storyline: Patrick Reed recorded only the fourth albatross in U.S. Open history, holing a 3-wood from 287 yards, but then dramatically undid his heroics with a triple-bogey on his final hole.
• Supporting stat or quote: Reed on his day: "One hole doesn't mean jack... Right now, I'm more focused on the triple I made on the last."
• Human angle or fun fact: Maxwell Moldovan eagled his first U.S. Open hole from 191 yards ("he... let it go in"), while Tony Finau made a miraculous long par save on eighteen.

Thriston Lawrence sits solo second (-3); Rory McIlroy & Phil Mickelson struggle (+4) • Adam Scott makes his 96th consecutive major start; Xander Schauffele offers a cautious "it's Thursday" on Spaun's lead • Oakmont is expected to get "firmer and faster"; Chase Johnson is the sole Black player in the field.

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On June 12th, 2025, "Today in Golf" delved into the U.S. Open at Oakmont, spotlighting player strategies, the course's infamous difficulty, and the major storylines heading into the championship.

• World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler arrives as the shortest U.S. Open betting favorite since 2009, bracing for what he calls "probably the hardest golf course that we'll play, maybe ever."
• Jeff Sherman (Westgate): "He's not just winning, he's winning by a margin... The expectation is he's going to be there on Sunday." (+275 odds)
• Fun Fact: Scheffler deleted Venmo because "I was either getting paid by people or people requesting me a bunch of money when I didn't win."

• "Defending U.S. Open champion" Bryson DeChambeau debuts "version three" 3D printed prototype blades, acknowledging "Oakmont wasn't designed to be fair, it was designed to be feared."
• His new LA Golf irons feature "bulge" but "no roll" to optimize "gear effect on the heel," though he admits "there's no such thing as a magic bullet."
• Human Angle: If the new clubs don't deliver at Oakmont, Bryson is ready to "go back to the drawing board."

• Dustin Johnson, the 2016 U.S. Open champion at Oakmont, returns confident he's "still got it" and plans for "another six years" of competitive golf "and then I'm going fishing."
• Recalling his 2016 win: "That Sunday was a little weird," attributing victory to exceptional driving.
• Motivation: "Because I want to get back. Because I know I've still got it."

• Rory McIlroy seeks to find form at the "big brute" of Oakmont, reportedly battling driver changes and a recent practice round of 81, stating he "can't relax this week."
• Despite recent struggles, McIlroy boasts six straight top-nine U.S. Open finishes, including runner-up the last two years.
• Human Angle: After chasing goals for over a decade, he feels "allowed a little bit of time to relax," but not at Oakmont.

• Hosting its tenth U.S. Open, Oakmont is described by the USGA's John Bodenhamer as "relentless," with "no letup." Players face its infamous five-inch rough and lightning-fast greens.
• Bodenhamer notes players will experience "more of the golf course" this year due to increased hitting distances.
• Historical Stat: Only 27 players out of over 1300 in major championships at Oakmont have finished under par.

• The inspiring journey of Chase Johnson, the only Black player in the 156-man field, who qualified for his first U.S. Open, creating an emotional Father's Day weekend moment.
• His father Mel's reaction to qualifying: "This is amazing. It's Father's Day weekend. I couldn't ask for anything more."
• Chase's Hope: "I think we could think of one thing by Sunday that we could get for you."

Scheffler aims to break World No. 1 U.S. Open win drought • Oakmont to play longer, showing "more of the golf course" • Today's podcast presented by golf.ai

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