Burns Seizes Open Championship Lead at Royal Birkdale
Ryan Fox ties major record with 62 as defending champion Scottie Scheffler trails by six shots
Sam Burns holds a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after shooting a 5-under 65 on Saturday. The American, who recently became a father, is two shots ahead of Si Woo Kim and Ryan Fox, who both tied the major championship record with a 62. Bryson DeChambeau finished four shots back, while defending champion Scottie Scheffler trails by six.
Burns secured his position at 10-under par 200 following a round played amid significant external distractions. He was paired with Bryson DeChambeau, who received substantial gallery support after a previous day’s protest over a two-shot penalty for improving his swing area. DeChambeau made two late birdies on Saturday but bogeyed the final hole after engaging with the crowd, finishing with a 69.
New Zealander Ryan Fox became the third player this week to tie the major championship record with his score of 62. The round moved Fox from even par into the final group, giving him a chance at his first major title. Fox described his approach as aggressive, particularly on wedge shots, and expressed satisfaction with his final score.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler struggled with his putting, shooting a 70 to leave him six shots behind the leader. Local favourite Tommy Fleetwood also remained in contention, carding a 69 to sit five shots off the pace. Burns, who changed his mind about entering the tournament one week prior and flew from Louisiana to compete, noted that he felt he had nothing to lose given his unexpected presence at the event.
The tournament context is heightened by Burns’ personal circumstances. His daughter, Belle, was born on July 3, just two weeks before the event, and his wife Caroline was due to give birth during the week of the British Open. Burns had previously missed a 17-foot putt to force a playoff in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills last month and was the 54-hole leader in the U.S. Open at Oakmont last year.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
