Sam Burns refused to openly criticize a controversial rules decision that many believe ended his bid for a first major title at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont.
Burns entered Sunday’s final round with a narrow one-shot lead, hoping to hold off the chasing pack on a rain-soaked and challenging day. However, a tough front nine saw him drop three shots and fall into a four-way tie at the top of the leaderboard by the time he reached the par-4 15th hole.
After placing his tee shot safely on the right side of the fairway, Burns found his ball sitting in casual water—a situation where players are typically granted relief under the rules of golf. Sky Sports commentator Wayne “Radar” Riley immediately remarked that a free drop seemed justified. Fellow commentator and former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley concurred, expressing disbelief at the decision that followed.
“I can’t believe he’s not getting a drop here,” McGinley said as Burns prepared to hit his next shot. “We’re watching him hit practice swings here and we can all see the water splashing up.”
Burns appealed to a USGA rules official for relief but was denied. Even after requesting a second opinion, the ruling stood. Sky’s lead commentator Ewen Murray voiced the confusion shared by many viewers, saying, “Maybe I am in the minority but I just don’t understand that.”
Clearly frustrated, Burns pulled his approach shot left into the deep rough. “We all knew that was going to happen,” Riley observed. “That was bizarre.”
From there, Burns struggled to recover. His third shot barely advanced the ball out of the rough, and though he managed to chip onto the green with his fourth, he failed to sink a 16-foot putt to save bogey, ultimately carding a costly double bogey.
The misfortune at 15 effectively ended Burns’ hopes of securing his first major championship. Meanwhile, JJ Spaun capitalized on the opportunity, finishing with two clutch birdies to claim his maiden major title, edging out Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre by two strokes.
Burns closed his final two holes with two more dropped shots, signing for a disappointing 8-over-par 78. He finished tied for seventh alongside World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and former Masters champion Jon Rahm.
While Burns showed restraint in his post-round comments, many golf fans and analysts were left frustrated by the USGA’s ruling, believing it played a decisive role in the tournament’s outcome.
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