Sam Burns Was Seven Shots Back and Almost Stole the U.S. Open, But Those Final Two Putts Will Haunt Him

HOLY MOLY, did you see that?! Sam Burns put on one of the most insane comeback performances at the U.S. Open, pushing Wyndham Clark to the limit. After starting the final day a whopping SEVEN shots back, Burns nearly pulled off the impossible, falling just one stroke shy of his first major title. It was pure agony, especially those final two putts, but man, what a ride! You've gotta feel for the guy, but you also gotta respect the fight.

The Heartbreak at Shinnecock Hills

Burns brought the heat on Sunday at Shinnecock Hills, playing with an intensity we haven't always seen from him in a major. He lit up the back nine, draining a terrific birdie on the 16th that had us all glued to the screen. Then, it got REAL. He gave himself not one, but two incredible looks at birdie on the 17th and 18th holes. Either one would have tied Wyndham Clark at 4 under, putting all the pressure on the leader. But golf, man, golf can be a cruel beast.

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First, a weak effort on No. 17. Brutal. Then, on No. 18, a painful miss on the right lip. You could feel the air leave the stadium. Burns literally collapsed to his knees right there, knowing he probably hadn't done quite enough to catch Clark. "Hit a really good shot in there on 17, and just a terrible read and not a very good putt," Burns said after the round. "Then to have the chance on 18, I really thought I made that putt. I hit it exactly how I wanted with the speed I wanted and just didn't go in." Talk about a gut punch! Clark, to his credit, held his nerve, doing just enough on his final three holes to close at 4 under, going wire-to-wire for his second U.S. Open title and beating Burns by that agonizing single shot. So close!

Redemption After the Oakmont Meltdown

Even in defeat, this U.S. Open was a monumental week for Burns. Just twelve months ago, he had a nightmare at Oakmont. He went into the final round of the 2025 U.S. Open as the 54-hole leader and completely melted under the pressure of being in that last pairing. We're talking an 8 over in the final round, posting a brutal 78. That was the fourth-worst score of the 66 golfers who competed that Sunday, pushing him down to a T7 finish. It was tough to watch.

Everyone remembers the image of him trying in vain to get relief from standing water on the 15th hole and then making his second double bogey of the day. Burns has long been a quality player on the PGA Tour, with five wins from 2021-23. But he's never been considered in that elite tier, never quite factoring into the majors. Oakmont was Exhibit A for anyone who questioned his major ability. This time, even without lifting the trophy, it was a measure of redemption. "I would say, last year at Oakmont, I felt more I lost the golf tournament," Burns admitted, the difference clear. "I certainly don't feel that way today. I think I did my best, and I did everything I could to have a chance to win today. I started the day seven shots back. That's very difficult to overcome, especially someone who is playing as well as Wyndham has been playi."

He put his best out there, and that's all you can ever ask for. He stared down the major pressure, starting seven shots back, and made a run for the ages. The trophy wasn't his, but the respect for his fight, that's earned. This performance sets him up for the next big one. We'll be watching!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.