Sam Burns holds a two-shot lead heading into the final round of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Burns, who is seeking his first major championship, finished the third round with a 65, following a record-tying 62 on Saturday. His performance has positioned him as the 54-hole leader, with Si Woo Kim and Ryan Fox trailing by two strokes.
Burns’s third-round 65 included four birdies within his first eight holes. Despite a bogey on the ninth, he recovered with seven pars and two additional birdies on the back nine. His combined score over the last two rounds, a 127, marks the lowest consecutive round score in men’s major history, according to golf reporter Justin Ray.
This is not the first time Burns has been in a strong position at a major. He was the 54-hole leader at last year’s U.S. Open, where he ultimately lost to J.J. Spaun. He also contended at The Masters in April but was unable to secure the win. Burns has achieved a tie for seventh at the 2026 Masters and three consecutive top-10 finishes at the U.S. Open, demonstrating consistent performance in major tournaments.
Fox and Kim in contention
Ryan Fox surged into a tie for second place after an impressive eight-under 62 in the third round. This score matches the best round in men’s major tournament history, a feat achieved by two other players earlier in the tournament. Fox capitalized on the front nine with five birdies in his first eight holes and added three more birdies over the final five holes to record Saturday’s best score.
Fox, who has never finished within the top 10 of a major, will be looking to improve on his best previous finish at The Open, which was a tie for 16th in 2019. His strong third-round performance puts him in a prime position to challenge for the Claret Jug on Sunday.
Si Woo Kim also shares second place with Fox. Kim has been playing consistently, moving up the leaderboard with consecutive 67s. He is currently ranked 21st in the Official World Golf Ranking and has shown strong form this season with 11 top-25 finishes in 19 starts, including runner-up positions at the Farmers Insurance Open and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
DeChambeau among other contenders
Bryson DeChambeau is the only previous major winner within four shots of Burns, sitting at six-under. DeChambeau recorded a one-under 69 on Saturday, seemingly shaking off a two-stroke penalty from the second round. He is four strokes behind Burns and will need a strong start on Sunday to pressure the leaders.
Other past major champions, including Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Jon Rahm, are also in contention, positioned at four-under. These players could make a push with low scores in the final round, depending on the performance of the leaders. DeChambeau is currently the most prominent name among those within reach of the Claret Jug.
Burns will aim to convert his lead into a victory, drawing on his past experiences in major championships. The final round promises to be a competitive event as golfers vie for the prestigious Claret Jug.
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Source: tsn.ca
