Tommy Fleetwood started the final round of the US Open six shots adrift of the leader.
There were 22 players ahead of the Englishman and he started the final round 2-1/2 hours ahead of the leading group.
In horse racing terms, he was almost in the race beforehand.
But come to the last of the 18 holes he had less than a nine foot putt for US Open history.
For a moment it looked like the putt was headed for the bottom of the cup but the ball swerved sharply near the end to miss the hole.
Had the ball gone in Fleetwood would have scored 62. That would have been the lowest score for a round in the 118 years of the US Open.
Fleetwood had to settle for a seven under par 63 and a few hours later was confirmed as the tournament’s runner-up.
It was still no mean feat. The previous record at Shinnecock Hills had been 65 and Fleetwood is one of just six golfers to score 63 at an US Open.
“I wanted 62,” Fleetwood said.
Despite scoring 75 in round one and 78 in round three, Fleetwood was in the thick of things late Sunday thanks to a 66 in round two that allowed him to stay in contention entering the final round.
The 27-year-old went three under on the front nine in the final round with four birdies and scored birdie on four straight holes (12-15) coming home to sit at two over for the round.
While the miss on No 18 was substantial, it wasn’t the only opportunity that passed Fleetwood by on the afternoon. He had good looks at birdie on the eighth and 10th holes and also left a birdie putt short on the 16th.
“I knew I was kind of in it teeing off, but you still have to get off to that good start,” Fleetwood said.
“All the way around, I always felt like I could get myself back in it. It’s funny though, when you finish, you always feel like you’re going to be just short [of winning]. I made great putts coming down that back nine. It’s easy to look at 16, 18 where I had chances, because that’s essentially what it comes down to, but I made so many good putts today.”