The U.S. Open 2025 at Oakmont Country Club turned into a nail-biting thriller on Sunday, June 15, only to end in a gut-wrenching collapse for Sam Burns. The 28-year-old American, leading a tightly packed field at -1, saw his dreams of a first major title slip away in a controversial moment that has left the golf world in uproar. A denied request for relief from standing water on the 15th hole triggered a double-bogey disaster, dropping him from contention to a T-7 finish at +4—a career-best major result, but a bitter pill nonetheless.
Burns entered the final round as part of a four-way tie for the lead, riding a wave of momentum from his stellar 65 in Round 2, the third-lowest score ever at Oakmont. With the course softened by earlier rains, the fairways were treacherous, and Burns’ tee shot on the par-4 15th landed in a shallow puddle on the right edge. Confident he deserved relief under the Rules of Golf for temporary water, he summoned an official. The ruling? Denied. A second appeal to another referee yielded the same result, forcing Burns to play from the soggy lie. His frustration was palpable as practice swings splashed water, yet the decision stood.
The fallout was immediate and brutal. Burns’ next shot veered into the thick fescue, and after a series of mishits, he carded a double-bogey that shattered his lead. Another bogey on 16 and a rollercoaster finish with a birdie on 17 and a bogey on 18 left him at +4, five shots behind champion J.J. Spaun. The $620,000 payday and T-7 spot are the brightest spots of Burns’ major career, but the sting of the missed opportunity lingers. “I saw water splashing every time—I thought it was clear,” Burns said post-round, his voice tight with disappointment. “It’s not up to me, but it cost me.”
The ruling has sparked fierce debate. Observers noted that relief was granted elsewhere on the course for similar conditions, fueling accusations of inconsistency from the USGA. Fans on social media raged, with some calling it a “robbery” that robbed Burns of a fair shot at glory. Others argue the rules were applied correctly, pointing to the fine line between wet ground and actionable standing water. Regardless, the moment has etched itself into U.S. Open lore as a heartbreaking “what if.”
Burns’ resilience shone through despite the setback. His week at Oakmont showcased a matured game, with top putting stats and clutch par saves, hinting at a major breakthrough in the future. As Spaun hoisted the trophy with a dramatic 64-foot birdie on 18, Burns walked off with a career high—but the shadow of that 15th-hole call will haunt him and the golf world for years to come.
