Burns' U.S. Open redemption: A near miss at Shinnecock

Sam Burns experienced a mix of triumph and heartbreak at the 2026 U.S. Open, finishing as the runner-up by a single stroke to Wyndham Clark at Shinnecock Hills. Burns had two critical missed birdie putts on the 17th and 18th holes, which prevented him from forcing a tie with the leader. He expressed pride in his play, especially given he started the final round seven shots back.

This near-victory provided a significant measure of redemption for Burns, who endured a challenging final round at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont. There, he began as the 54-hole leader but faltered under pressure, posting one of the worst rounds of the final day. Burns' consistent top-10 finishes in recent U.S. Opens highlight his growing prowess in major championships, suggesting he is close to achieving his goal of winning one.