Sam Burns saw his U.S. Open hopes drown with one controversial decision. Burns was forced to hit out of a soggy lie on the fairway of the 15th hole of Sunday’s final round at Oakmont after asking two rules officials to take a drop.

Sam Burns addressed rules officials' decision after being denied relief from standing water during US Open final round

Sam Burns fell apart during the final round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont on Sunday, and a controversial ruling on No. 15 may have contributed to his collapse.

Sam Burns avoided the late meltdown that cost him in the first round of the U.S. Open. He had a 65 and has a one-shot lead at Oakmont.

Burns, a 28-year-old from Louisiana, has five PGA Tour titles, the last one more than two years ago. Despite that, he leads the quartet under par through 54 holes.

By Frank Pingue OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (Reuters) -Overnight U.S. Open leader Sam Burns, seeking the biggest win of his career, got his final round underway on Sunday at partly cloudy Oakmont Country Club with a one-shot lead over Australian Adam Scott and J.