Scheffler Reflects on Missed US Open Opportunity: Grand Slam Chase Continues to Pebble Beach

Overview

Scottie Scheffler's bid for the career Grand Slam came up short once again at Shinnecock Hills, as Wyndham Clark held on to claim his second US Open title, edging Sam Burns by one stroke. Scheffler, who turned 30 on Sunday, finished T4 after shooting a final-round 71 (+1).

What Went Wrong

Entering the final round six shots behind Clark, Scheffler actually outplayed his playing partner by two strokes on the day — but the deficit proved too steep to overcome.

Two moments defined his round:

- Hole 7 (par-3): A two-shot bunker escape and a 15-foot putt just to salvage bogey killed early momentum - Hole 16 (par-5): Scheffler was perfectly positioned in the fairway but hit driver into the rough. Clark, by contrast, escaped thick fescue brilliantly and made birdie, extending the lead to five

"He showed what he's made of there with a great birdie on 16," Scheffler acknowledged of Clark's clutch play.

The Deeper Issue: Slow Starts

The real damage was done on Day 1, when Scheffler found himself eight back of Clark after a shaky opening round that included a three-putt double bogey on No. 8. He has been playing catch-up throughout much of the 2026 season.

"I haven't had those leads that I've needed in order to win tournaments. I've been playing catch-up all year," Scheffler admitted.

Strokeslab Editorial Perspective

Scheffler's Grand Slam chase now turns to Pebble Beach in 2027. His final-round performance was solid but not spectacular — the issue, as data-minded observers will note, is that his SG: Total in first rounds of majors has consistently left him chasing. When the world's No. 1 cannot set the pace early, even his elite ball-striking and scrambling often cannot compensate by Sunday.