Sam Burns breaks down in tears as US Open near miss triggers emotional Fathers Day reaction

US Open runner-up Sam Burns was overcome with emotion as he spoke about his father being so proud of his performance.

The American birdied four of the first eight holes at a windy Shinnecock Hills during his closing round on Sunday, and appeared on the brink of one of the greatest fightback in major history.

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Burns fired a 3-under 67 to finish on 3-under 277, one stroke behind eventual winner Wyndham Clark.

His emotions first surfaced on the 18th green, when he came excruciatingly close to a 16-foot birdie putt that would have tied him for the lead.

The 29-year-old fell to his knees when the ball failed to drop, and was later seen with his hands on his head in the clubhouse.

He then watched on as Clark held his nerve amid ‘unprecedented’ abuse to secure the US Open title for the second time, at a venue that has been defended by the USGA.

The final round at Shinnecock was played on Father’s Day, and Burns teared up as he discussed how special it would have been to win his first major with both his dad, and his own son Bear, watching.

Sam Burns bursts into tears in emotional US Open moment

“He just said he was really proud,” the golfer said of his father Todd.

“I think we both knew how special it could have been for Father’s Day, but I know he’s proud.

“It’s one of the reasons we work so hard and practice as hard as we do, to have chances at winning golf tournaments.

“It’s just not very often we have a chance to win a major on a Father’s Day.

“I think just the weight of that and knowing what that memory could have been like, it would have been really special.”

USGA

USGA

Burns added that he wouldn’t have pursued a career in golf if it wasn’t for his family.

“My dad and brother both played college football. They both played golf too, and I would just go out there and run around and mess with them,” he said.

“Mainly, I started using a golf club as a weapon against my older brother. He’s eight years older. Had to defend myself with something.

“That’s kind of how I fell in love with it. I was fortunate to grow up with some kids that were much better players than me, and I hated losing to them.

“That’s how I just naturally fell in love with the game.

“My parents never pushed me to practice, never pushed me to play tournaments, never told me I needed to go work on something.

“They just kind of allowed me to follow my dreams and let me figure out why I love the game on my own.”

Sam Burns ‘thought he made’ putt on 18th green

With much of the Shinnecock crowd urging him on, Burns cut Clark’s commanding six-shot lead to just one on Sunday.

Had his putt on the 18th green dropped, he likely would have found himself in a playoff.

“I honestly thought I made it, but just the way it goes,” Burns said of the heartbreak.

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“I’m sure when I close my eyes tonight I may see that putt again.”

Despite coming so close, Burns was never able to pull level with Clark, who pocketed a staggering amount of prize money.

Still, he can be proud of his effort across the weekend.

“I felt like I was chasing all day. I would get within maybe one or two,” the runner-up said.

“But overall I feel like the round I played was a really good round of golf.

“It’s unfortunate I just came up one short.”

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