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. This places him ahead of Ryan Fox of New Zealand and Si Woo Kim of South Korea, both of whom are at 8-under.
Burns’s impressive round included a clean back nine, building on his 62 from the previous day. His combined 62-65 over the past two rounds marks 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 final day.
Key Performances in Round Three
Ryan Fox made an early impact in the third round, matching a major record with a 62. This score propelled him into the clubhouse lead at 8-under. Fox’s round was particularly strong on the front nine, where he played the first eight holes in 5-under. He noted the favorable conditions, including minimal wind for most of the day, which allowed for aggressive play, especially with wedge shots.
Si Woo Kim also delivered a solid performance, recording his second consecutive 67 to reach 8-under. His consistent play positions him well for the final day, being just two shots behind the leader. Kim’s best career 54-hole position in a major is tied for fifth, a feat he has achieved twice.
Bryson DeChambeau, who has been a prominent figure throughout the tournament, finished his third round with a 1-under 69. Despite a penalty from the second round, DeChambeau managed to stay in contention, entering Sunday four shots back from Burns at 6-under. His round included birdies on holes 6, 15, and 17, with his only bogey occurring on the second hole.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler concluded his round with an even-par 70, placing him at 4-under overall. Scheffler, the defending champion, expressed frustration with his putting, noting that his game felt better than his score indicated. He recorded a birdie on hole 5 and a bogey on hole 16, alongside 16 pars.
Tournament Dynamics and Notable Moments
The third round saw shifts in the leaderboard, with Burns eventually taking sole possession of the lead. Earlier in the day, Lucas Herbert, who had a historic 62 in the second round, briefly held the solo lead again after two birdies before the turn. However, Herbert’s round ended with a 1-over 71, placing him at 7-under overall and tied for fourth with Ryan Gerard.
DeChambeau’s performance has been a significant storyline, particularly following a two-stroke penalty assessed after the second round. Burns commented on the situation, stating he felt there might not have been sufficient evidence for the penalty. Scheffler, when asked about the penalty, indicated he had thoughts but was not ready to share them publicly.
Burns’s presence at Royal Birkdale was unexpected, as he was initially planning to be home awaiting the birth of his daughter. Her early arrival allowed him to compete, and he now has an opportunity to win his first major championship. Burns has five victories on the PGA Tour, though none this year.
Other players in contention include Ludvig Aberg of Sweden, who is at 6-under after a 67, and first-round leader Jackson Suber, who posted a 70 and is also at 6-under. Gerard, who shot a 69, believes his game is well-suited for links golf, citing his comfort with various shot types and ball movement.
Suber, despite being considered a dark horse, feels comfortable in contention, having experienced similar situations in recent months. The final round promises an exciting conclusion to The Open Championship, with Burns leading the field at 10-under.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
