John Parry called his career best major finish at Shinnecock Hills a “dream come true” after capping off his first return to the U.S. Open since 2015 with a final round 69 to finish tied 11th.
The 39‑year‑old made three birdies and two bogeys on Sunday to post a two‑over total, with a closing dropped shot on the 72nd hole the only blemish on an otherwise composed performance.
Level with fellow Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Aaron Rai, Parry’s week is just the latest chapter in one of the most compelling career resurgences in recent DP World Tour memory.
“It’s been a dream come true,” he said. “It’s quite an iconic course in the U.S. Open schedule, so to play well and put in a good performance… really happy.”
This was his first U.S. Open appearance in 11 years, and he was candid about how much he has changed since then, both as a player and as a person.
“I’ve got fatter, grayer,” he joked, “but I think I’ve learnt. I’ve learnt this is the way I play a certain way. This is the way I’m gonna play. I’m not gonna try and copy Rory McIlroy, because that’s never gonna happen for me. So I’ll try and stick to my style of golf and see where it takes me.”
On his first U.S. Open appearance since 2015, John Parry finishes at +2 💪
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 21, 2026
He’s currently T11, putting him on course for the best Major finish of his career. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/QpFk7Qg8uo
Perspective has shaped much of Parry’s journey back to the game’s biggest stages. Only two years ago he was still fighting on the HotelPlanner Tour, and he admits those memories remain close.
“Sometimes you’ve got to pinch yourself… even out there today when it’s tough, you think, Blimey, I’m playing the U.S. Open at Shinnecock. It’s not half bad. It definitely helps.”
His climb over the past five seasons has taken him from the EuroPro Tour to the HotelPlanner Tour, twice from the HotelPlanner Tour to the DP World Tour, and now from the DP World Tour to the PGA Tour.
The 2025 season proved transformative. Parry finished high enough on the Race to Dubai’s dual ranking to earn one of the ten PGA Tour cards available for 2026, a breakthrough that reshaped both his career and his confidence.
“Yeah, massive,” he said of the belief that achievement gave him. “I think that helps coming out here playing this event. It didn’t feel overwhelming as much, so that helps when you’re in the majors.”
His rookie PGA Tour campaign began brightly with a top‑20 at the Sony Open and 12 consecutive made cuts, including at the PGA Championship. After his first missed cut of the season, he immediately rebounded by advancing through a playoff at U.S. Open qualifying in Canada to secure his place at Shinnecock.
A missed cut at the RBC Canadian Open followed, so he sought help on the greens.
“I was struggling really bad with my putting,” he said. “My coach was out with his… he works with Alex Fitzpatrick as well, so we did a lot of work. I haven’t looked at my putting stats, but I think they’re pretty good. Just someone to get you back on the right path.”
That work showed. Parry produced four composed rounds of 71‑71‑71‑69 on one of the most demanding tests in major championship golf. As conditions toughened over the weekend, he found reassurance in how he handled the challenge.
“Especially today and yesterday, it’s been really windy,” he said. “There’s a difference — if I’m in the mix, that’s a different feeling of pressure — but to know I can compete at this level and put in a good performance is very pleasing.”
