J.J. Spaun's US Open campaign at Oakmont appeared destined for disaster after a catastrophic start to his final round on Sunday.

The 34-year-old made five bogeys in six holes, watching his championship hopes seemingly evaporate on one of golf's most demanding courses.

His misfortune peaked at the second hole when his approach shot struck the flagstick on one bounce and careened off the green, settling 50 yards from the target. The cruel break led to his second of three straight bogeys.

After additional bogeys at holes five and six, Spaun found himself hemorrhaging shots just as a rain delay halted play.

J.J. Spaun's US Open campaign at Oakmont appeared destined for disaster after a catastrophic start to his final round on Sunday

The stoppage lasted over 90 minutes, giving the struggling golfer an unexpected opportunity to regroup mentally and physically.

During the weather delay, NBC aired footage of Tiger Woods' legendary 2008 U.S. Open victory at Torrey Pines.

The timing proved prophetic for Spaun, who drew inspiration from Woods' philosophy about major championship golf.

"I was having lunch with Max Homa at home. We live in the same area. We belong at the same club," Spaun revealed after his round.

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"He was telling a Tiger story where he was like, As long as you just like are still there, you don't have to do anything crazy, especially at a U.S. Open."

According to Spaun, Woods had told Homa that conditions would change but players needed to "just stay there" even when trailing.

The advice resonated powerfully as Spaun faced a four-shot deficit following the rain delay at Oakmont.

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The approach shot disaster at the second hole epitomised Spaun's nightmarish start. His ball clanged off the flagstick and rolled completely off the putting surface, ending up 50 yards away from the hole.

This misfortune triggered a devastating sequence of three consecutive bogeys to open his final round. Additional bogeys at the fifth and sixth holes seemed to eliminate him from contention entirely.

Spaun had begun the day just one shot behind the leaders after 54 holes. By the time he reached the seventh tee, his championship aspirations appeared shattered.

He managed to steady himself with pars at the seventh and eighth holes before the weather intervened. The rain delay arrived after Spaun had posted a front-nine 40, leaving him four shots behind leader Sam Burns.

When play resumed, Spaun immediately found the fairway on the ninth hole and sensed momentum shifting. Despite trailing by four strokes, he refused to force aggressive plays.

"I kind of was thinking about that out there this afternoon," Spaun said of Woods' advice.

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"Where I was four back, maybe going back out after the delay, and then I made some good pars, nothing crazy. Got a really good birdie. Then, next thing you know, I'm like tied for the lead, I think, and within four holes of the restart."

His patient approach paid spectacular dividends. Spaun carded a three-under 32 on the back nine, capping his remarkable comeback with consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th holes.

The birdie-birdie finish created a moment that will endure in US Open history.