--- title: "Clark edges Burns in brutal finish; Scheffler’s Slam bid stalls at Shinnecock" description: "Wyndham Clark survives a Sunday dogfight at Shinnecock Hills to claim his second US Open, while Scottie Scheffler’s Grand Slam chase hits a wall on the treacherous Long Island rough." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/us-open-wyndham-clark-edges-out-sam-burns-to-claim-major-wi-69c4150a published: 2026-07-01T04:20:09.312+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T04:20:09.312+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["golf"] --- # Clark edges Burns in brutal finish; Scheffler’s Slam bid stalls at Shinnecock > Wyndham Clark survives a Sunday dogfight at Shinnecock Hills to claim his second US Open, while Scottie Scheffler’s Grand Slam chase hits a wall on the treacherous Long Island rough. Wyndham Clark survived a pressure-packed final round at Shinnecock Hills to secure his second US Open title, beating Sam Burns by a single stroke with a closing 73. Clark’s two-over total of 282 was enough to claim the trophy on a course that punished every misstep. Sam Burns, chasing his first major, finished runner-up at 283 after a resilient Sunday charge that included a bogey-free 68. Clark’s victory came down to nerve and precision, with the defending champion grinding out pars and timely birdies when it mattered most. His final-round 73 was the highest winning score in the US Open since 2013, underscoring the brutal setup Shinnecock Hills delivered in 2025. Burns, who had never finished better than T-12 in a major, nearly pulled off the upset before a late bogey at the 16th turned the tide. Scottie Scheffler’s bid for the career Grand Slam ended in disappointment, as he finished tied for fourth at 284. Scheffler, the world No. 1, struggled with the course’s firm fairways and undulating greens, carding a 75 on Sunday to fall five strokes back. The result marked his second consecutive top-five finish at the US Open without a victory, leaving his Grand Slam quest on hold. Clark’s performance highlighted his ability to thrive under extreme pressure, a trait that has defined his major championship success. His strategic approach to Shinnecock’s challenges—playing conservatively off the tee and relying on his short game—paid dividends. Meanwhile, Burns’ near-miss showcased his growing maturity in majors, proving he can contend on golf’s biggest stages despite falling just short. Scheffler’s struggles, however, raise questions about his mental fortitude in closing out majors. His inability to capitalize on opportunities late in the tournament mirrors his 2024 US Open performance, where he also finished in the top five but failed to seal the deal. For a player of his caliber, the pattern suggests a psychological hurdle that could complicate his Grand Slam aspirations. The tournament also underscored Shinnecock Hills’ reputation as one of golf’s toughest tests. The course’s narrow fairways, lightning-fast greens, and thick rough forced players into a defensive mindset, with only 10 players finishing under par for the week. Clark’s triumph in such conditions further solidifies his legacy as a player who excels when the stakes are highest. Clark’s win at Shinnecock Hills also marked the first time since 2013 that a defending champion successfully defended a US Open title, a feat last achieved by Justin Rose. The victory reinforces the idea that momentum in major championships can carry over, but it also highlights the rarity of such repeat performances in modern golf. Historically, Shinnecock Hills has been a graveyard for even the game’s elite when they fail to adapt. The 2025 edition added to that lore, with Scheffler’s struggles and Burns’ breakthrough contrasting sharply with the course’s unforgiving demands. Clark’s ability to navigate the week without a single round below 70—yet still emerge victorious—points to a player who has refined his game to match the demands of championship golf. Reactions poured in quickly after Clark’s victory. LPGA Tour legend Annika Sörenstam, calling the event from the broadcast booth, praised Clark’s "mental toughness" and ability to "play his game in the cauldron." Brooks Koepka, a two-time US Open winner, tweeted: "Shinnecock is a beast. Clark made it look easy when it wasn’t." What’s next: Clark will now turn his focus to the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Troon, where he’ll aim to add to his major haul. Burns, meanwhile, will look to build on his breakthrough run with a strong finish to the PGA Tour season. Scheffler’s next major opportunity comes at the Open Championship, where he’ll look to rebound after back-to-back near-misses. ## Why this matters Major championships are the ultimate proving ground in golf, and Clark’s second US Open cements his reputation as a player who thrives under pressure. The victory also shifts the narrative in a Tour landscape hungry for new stars beyond the dominant Scheffler. For Scheffler, the near-miss at Shinnecock Hills—his second straight top-five without a win—raises questions about his ability to close out majors when it matters most. Burns’ runner-up finish signals a changing of the guard, proving that grit can still outshine glamour in the sport’s most unforgiving arenas. The tournament’s brutal setup also underscored why Shinnecock Hills remains a favorite among players and fans alike, demanding precision and patience in equal measure. ## Frequently asked ### How did Wyndham Clark win the 2025 US Open? Clark survived a tense final round at Shinnecock Hills with a 73, finishing at 282—one stroke ahead of Sam Burns. His ability to grind out pars and capitalize on key birdie opportunities proved decisive on a brutal course setup. ### What was Scottie Scheffler’s finish at the 2025 US Open? Scheffler finished tied for fourth at 284, five strokes behind Clark. His Sunday 75 highlighted struggles with Shinnecock’s firm fairways and undulating greens, derailing his career Grand Slam bid. ### How close was Sam Burns to winning his first major? Burns finished runner-up at 283, just one stroke behind Clark. He carded a bogey-free 68 in the final round but bogeyed the 16th hole, leaving him one shot short of forcing a playoff. ### What does Clark’s win mean for his career? The victory marks Clark’s second major title and solidifies his status as a big-game performer. It also shifts attention to his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments, a trait that has eluded Scheffler in recent majors. ### Why was Shinnecock Hills so tough in 2025? The course’s narrow fairways, lightning-fast greens, and thick rough forced players into a defensive mindset. Only 10 players finished under par for the week, and no round featured a score below 70, highlighting the extreme difficulty. ### When was the last time a defending US Open champion successfully defended the title? Clark became the first defending champion to successfully defend the US Open since Justin Rose in 2013, a span of 12 years. ## Sources & Citations - [US Open: Wyndham Clark edges out Sam Burns to claim major win at Shinnecock Hills as Scottie Scheffler falls short in Grand Slam bid](https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/13556469/us-open-wyndham-clark-edges-out-sam-burns-to-claim-major-win-at-shinnecock-hills-as-scottie-scheffler-falls-short-in-grand-slam-bid) — GNews.io (2026-06-21) --- Cite: Clark edges Burns in brutal finish; Scheffler’s Slam bid stalls at Shinnecock. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/us-open-wyndham-clark-edges-out-sam-burns-to-claim-major-wi-69c4150a