Southampton (United States) (AFP) – Sam Burns teared up as he spoke about his dad being so proud of his US Open runner-up effort on Sunday and what a victory on Father’s Day would have meant. Burns birdied four of the first eight holes at windy Shinnecock and nearly matched the greatest final-round fightback in US Open history before finishing one stroke behind winner Wyndham Clark.
“He just said he was really proud,” Burns 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.” The emotions came from the day and the moment, Burns achieving his best major finish but unable to deliver on a dream.
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“It’s one of the reasons we work so hard and practice as hard as we do, to have chances at winning golf tournaments,” Burns said. “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.” Burns fired a three-under par 67 to finish on three-under 277, one stroke behind Clark.
His emotions showed through on the 18th green when he just missed a 16-foot birdie putt that would have tied him for the lead, Burns dropping to his knees when the ball failed to drop. “I honestly thought I made it, but just the way it goes,” Burns said. “I’m sure when I close my eyes tonight I may see that putt again.” Golf is a career Burns would not have but for his father.
“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,” Burns recalled. “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.” Overtaking Clark would have achieved one of those dreams, but while he came within one stroke three different times, he could never pull level.
“I felt like I was chasing all day. I would get within maybe one or two,” Burns 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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