Just after 4 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, play at the U.S. Open was halted due to weather. Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre sat alone in the Oakmont locker room, trying to dry his rain-soaked shirt under the air conditioner. His girlfriend Shannon Hartley and manager Iain Stoddart had been with him briefly, but now he sat in quiet focus, clearing his mind as best he could before returning to action.
At 5:40 p.m., he would head back onto the course, still holding onto the number that had been his target all week: even par. After an opening-round 70, he had confidently predicted, “If you shoot level par all four rounds, you’ll be taking home a medal and a trophy.”
But as play resumed, MacIntyre was at +3, and Sam Burns, several holes ahead, was sitting at -2. Others were also in contention, but MacIntyre remained determined. As the rain poured and Oakmont bared its teeth, MacIntyre played some of the purest golf of the tournament: steady pars on holes 11 through 13, a birdie on 14, a clutch par save on 15, and more solid play on 16 and 17. On 18, one of the day’s toughest holes, he gave himself a long birdie attempt for even par. The 32-foot putt tracked well but came up short — a par to finish at +1.
Unknown to MacIntyre, while he fought through the rain, the leaderboard was shifting dramatically. Sam Burns stumbled with a double-bogey on 15. Tyrrell Hatton bogeyed his last two holes. Viktor Hovland made a costly error on the back nine. As his rivals faltered, MacIntyre remained steady, punching the air after his par save on 18, sensing he had done something special — even if the outcome was still uncertain.
After finishing, MacIntyre crossed the footbridge to the scoring area, where players sign their cards and face the media. He spoke briefly with Sky Sports and then made his way to the media flash area. PGA Tour’s Will Gray noted that J.J. Spaun was now favored to win, with odds suggesting a 60% chance. As the rain continued to fall and Spaun hit a perfect drive on 17, landing 17 feet from the pin for an eagle attempt, MacIntyre watched his chances hang in the balance.
During his media session, MacIntyre remained remarkably composed. “It feels great,” he said, smiling. “I’ve got a chance to win a major championship. It’s what I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid.” He reflected on the turning points in his round, from the birdie on 9 to his calm mindset after the weather delay. Asked if anyone had encouraged him, MacIntyre replied simply, “Not one thing. I’m a guy that believes.”
Afterward, he joined Cara Banks for a brief NBC interview and then went to watch the final holes unfold on TV with his girlfriend and manager. Spaun calmly converted his birdie on 17 to move one stroke ahead. On the 18th tee, Spaun launched a perfect 308-yard drive down the fairway. MacIntyre, unaware of Spaun’s position, could only wait and hope.
As MacIntyre and the others made their way to the 18th green, the evening sky dimmed, a romantic gray mist hanging over Oakmont. Spaun’s approach shot landed 64 feet from the hole, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Moments later, Spaun sealed his victory with a brilliant lag putt and short tap-in birdie, ending MacIntyre’s hopes. Watching from nearby, MacIntyre applauded and mouthed “Wow!” — a gesture of genuine respect.
Though Spaun’s clutch performance stole the spotlight, MacIntyre’s grace in defeat was moving. He remained nearby for a few minutes, answering final questions and witnessing Jon Rahm consoling Hatton: “You’re due for something soon.” Finally, MacIntyre quietly left the scene, walking up the lighted stairway into the clubhouse — left to reflect on how close he came, only to see his dream slip away through no fault of his own.
