Royal Birkdale: Sam Burns leads Open Championship after third round

By Mason Reed — 18 July 2026 — 3 min read

Burns takes lead at Royal Birkdale

Sam Burns has taken a two-shot lead into the final round of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club after a strong performance in Saturday’s third round. Burns carded a 5-under par 65, bringing his total to 10-under 200. His recent rounds, including a 62 and a 65, represent the lowest consecutive 36-hole stretch in major championship history.

Burns expressed his focus on execution, aiming to create numerous opportunities on the greens for the upcoming final day. He will be paired with Ryan Fox for the final round. Burns has five victories on the PGA Tour, though none this year, and is now seeking his first major title after strong showings earlier this year, including tying for second in the Masters and finishing as the U.S. Open runner-up.

Burns’ presence in England for the tournament was unexpected, as he was initially planning to be home awaiting the birth of his daughter. However, her early arrival allowed him to compete, and he now finds himself leading the field with a chance to win his first major championship.

Chasing the leader

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox began Saturday’s play with a 62, matching a major record and becoming the seventh player in history, and third in 24 hours, to achieve such a low score at a major. Fox’s round propelled him into contention, and he currently sits at 8-under, tied with South Korea’s Si Woo Kim. Fox made the cut by two strokes and his round was particularly strong on the front nine, playing the first eight holes in 5-under.

Si Woo Kim also had a strong showing, posting a second straight 67 to remain in the mix. Kim’s best career 54-hole position in any major is tied for fifth, a feat he has achieved twice. No player from South Korea has ever held a 54-hole lead or co-lead at The Open.

Lucas Herbert, who had a historic 62 in the second round, struggled in the third round with a 1-over 71. Despite this, his earlier performance keeps him at 7-under overall, placing him in a tie for fourth with Ryan Gerard (69). Herbert’s lone PGA Tour triumph came in the 2021 Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

DeChambeau and Scheffler’s rounds

Much attention during the third round was on Bryson DeChambeau, who has been a prominent figure at the British Open. DeChambeau carded a 1-under 69, bringing his total to 6-under for the week. His round included birdies on holes 6, 15, and 17, with his only bogey coming on the second hole. DeChambeau’s performance comes after he was assessed a two-stroke penalty in the second round, a situation that has generated considerable discussion.

Burns expressed sympathy for DeChambeau regarding the penalty, stating he did not believe there was sufficient evidence to warrant it. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, however, was more reserved in his comments on the matter. DeChambeau is currently tied for sixth place with Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg (67) and first-round leader Jackson Suber (70).

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler finished his third round with an even-par 70, leaving him at 4-under. Scheffler noted his frustration with his putting, as he ranks 71st in strokes gained on the green among the 78 players on the scoreboard. Despite his score, Scheffler believes his overall game is in a good position, but his inability to make putts has been a recurring theme. He will need a significant performance on Sunday to contend for the jug.

Jackson Suber, the first-round leader, shot a 70 and feels comfortable being in contention, having experienced similar situations in recent months. Ryan Gerard also expressed confidence in his game, stating that links golf suits his style of play, allowing him to control shots and move the ball effectively.

Cameron Young, who was one stroke back, could have joined Tiger Woods as the last player to lead both the Masters and The Open at the 54-hole mark in the same year, a feat Woods achieved in 2005 when he won both tournaments.

Source: sports.yahoo.com

Mason Reed

Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.