Another close call for golf's new 'nearly man' at US Open

Will Zalatoris battled for a major victory to the final green on Sunday at the US Open before settling for his third career major runner-up finish without winning a title.

The 25-year-old American has become golf's newest 'Nearly Man' with three second places and six top-eight finishes in only nine career major starts.

"It stings, obviously, to have three runner-ups so far in my career in majors," Zalatoris said. "We're obviously doing the right things.

"I'm three shots away from having a chance of being a three-time major champion. A bounce here or there.

"The recipe's there. The game's there. I've just got to wait my turn."

Zalatoris finished second to Japan's Hideki Matsuyama at last year's Masters, nervous and excited just to be in contention before losing by a stroke. He also finished second at last month's PGA Championship, losing a playoff to Justin Thomas.

On Sunday, Zalatoris missed 14-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole and lost by one stroke to England's Matt Fitzpatrick.

"I hit a great putt on 18," Zalatoris said. "I thought I had it and it just happened to hang out there."

A closing one-under par 69 left him sharing second on 275 with world number one Scottie Scheffler, this year's Masters winner.

"I'd pay a lot of money for about an inch and a half, and I'd probably be a three-time major champion at this point," Zalatoris said of his margin between victory and defeat.

"It's just little things. It's not the same thing at every single one. We're talking inches. It's not like I finished runner-up by four or five a few times. It's been one for all three.

"I'm not afraid to be in the lead. I've got nothing to lose out here. So let's just keep doing what we're doing and eventually we're going to get one."

But Zalatoris