Sam Burns came agonizingly close to forcing a playoff at the U.S. Open Sunday but narrowly missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, finishing one stroke behind champion Wyndham Clark.

Burns, who posted a final-round 67 to reach three under for the tournament, was just a half-inch from sinking the decisive putt that would have tied Clark and extended the championship. Instead, the ball missed slightly to the right, denying him a chance to catch the leader. After the miss, Burns expressed disbelief and frustration but remained resolute in his effort.

“I really thought I made that putt,” Burns said. “It just didn’t go in.” The runner-up also acknowledged Clark’s steady finish, noting that Clark birdied the 16th, bogeyed the 17th, and two-putted on the 18th to clinch the victory by a single stroke.

Burns began the final round seven shots behind Clark but surged with three birdies in his first eight holes, moving into serious contention. Despite keeping the pressure on, a costly three-putt on the 15th hole hindered his momentum down the stretch. Reflecting on his performance, Burns contrasted this year’s showing with his disappointing 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, where he led after two rounds but collapsed in the final round with a 78. This time, he said, he felt he gave his best effort and remained in contention until the end.

On Father’s Day, Burns shared an emotional moment with his father, Tom, who told him he was proud despite the near miss.

Six-time major champion Rory McIlroy, seeking to rekindle his form at the tournament he won 15 years ago, finished tied for 32nd after rounds of 73 on both Saturday and Sunday left him six over for the event. McIlroy credited his back-nine struggles Saturday with derailing his chances, saying, “The wheels came off.”

Instead of competing next week at the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship, the Northern Irish player plans to practice links golf ahead of the British Open, his favored major and where he won his only Claret Jug title in 2014. McIlroy noted that the challenges posed by Shinnecock Hills were somewhat similar to those at the Open.

Tom Kim finished third at one under par, matching the best U.S. Open finish by a South Korean player since Y.E. Yang tied for third in 2011. Kim, who qualified for the U.S. Open, secured automatic invitations to next year’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach as well as the Masters by placing in the top four. He described the experience as a "taste of a major championship" and expressed confidence in his development.

Amateur Jackson Koivun closed out his final U.S. Open appearance by birdieing the last hole to finish at five over, sharing low amateur honors with Oklahoma’s Ryder Cowan. Koivun became the first amateur to break 70 in the final round at Shinnecock Hills and reflected on the mental challenges of the course. At 21, Koivun won multiple collegiate titles at Auburn and the Haskins Award before announcing plans to turn professional and debut at the John Deere Classic.

Brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick both carded 73 on Sunday, finishing 22nd and tied for 23rd respectively, underscoring a solid showing for the sibling pair during the tournament.