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.

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"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.

"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.

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"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.

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"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.

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"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.

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"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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