Sam Burns Leads British Open Into Final Round At Royal Birkdale

Key Points

• Sam Burns holds the solo lead heading into Sunday’s final round of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, having taken the outright lead with a third-round 65.
• Burns and Lucas Herbert tied the major championship scoring record with rounds of 62 on Friday.
• Ryan Fox matched that record-tying 62 on Saturday to move into contention alongside Si Woo Kim and Herbert.
• Bryson DeChambeau was handed a two-stroke penalty on Friday for a Rule 8.1 violation after improving his lie on the fifth hole, but remains within reach at six under par.
• Sam Burns travelled to Royal Birkdale after his wife gave birth to their second child, a daughter, on 3 July.
• Tommy Fleetwood, the home favourite from nearby Southport, remains in the mix for the final round.
• The final round tee times are set, with the last group of Ryan Fox and Sam Burns due off at 9.20am ET (2.20pm BST).
• Notable pairings on Sunday include Scottie Scheffler with Jose Luis Ballester Barrio, Rory McIlroy with Jordan Smith, and Jon Rahm with Shane Lowry.

England (Britain Today News) July 18, 2026 — One round remains to determine the winner of the final major of the year, with Sam Burns taking a two-stroke lead into Sunday’s concluding round of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on England’s Lancashire coast. The American, who very nearly did not tee it up this week following the birth of his second child earlier this month, has emerged from a congested leaderboard to put himself in position for a maiden major title. Ryan Fox, Si Woo Kim and Lucas Herbert sit closest behind him, while Bryson DeChambeau, despite a two-stroke penalty picked up on Friday, remains within striking distance at six under par.

Who Currently Leads The British Open Heading Into The Final Round?

Sam Burns enters the final round of the Open Championship as the sole leader after a third-round 65 at Royal Birkdale on Saturday. The 29-year-old had shared top spot for much of Moving Day before pulling clear with a strong finish, giving him a two-shot cushion over the chasing pack as he pursues his first major championship. Burns’ rise to the top of the leaderboard has been one of the defining stories of the week, following a Friday round of 62 that tied the all-time major championship scoring record.

How Did Sam Burns Take Control On Moving Day?

Burns began Saturday’s third round tied for the lead but pulled away with a closing burst that left the rest of the field to play catch-up. His finishing stretch on Friday had already announced his intentions, but it was the manner in which he closed out Moving Day that confirmed his status as the man to catch. Burns has now strung together three rounds of the highest calibre at a course renowned for punishing wayward golf, and he takes a two-shot advantage into Sunday having led the field statistically in several key approach-play categories through 54 holes.

What Happened With Bryson DeChambeau’s Rules Violation?

Bryson DeChambeau was among the co-leaders after 36 holes, sitting at seven under par in outright second place, before being assessed a two-stroke penalty for a breach of Rule 8.1 relating to improving his lie during Friday’s second round. The infringement occurred on the fifth hole, with officials ruling that the two-time US Open champion had inadvertently altered his line of play before his shot. The penalty dropped DeChambeau back into a share of a lower position, though he remains firmly inside the top ten heading into the final round at six under par.

The incident briefly cast doubt over DeChambeau’s participation in the third round. His representative, agent Brett Falkoff, was asked whether the two-time major winner would continue playing on Saturday. As reported by the Associated Press, Falkoff responded, “We’ll see,” before adding, “Your guess is as good as mine.” DeChambeau did tee off for the third round and remained competitive, finishing his front nine at five under before a missed birdie chance on the ninth checked his momentum slightly.

Who Are Sam Burns’ Closest Challengers?

A cluster of players sit within two shots of Burns heading into Sunday, keeping the leaderboard tightly bunched for what is expected to be a dramatic final round. Ryan Fox, Si Woo Kim and Lucas Herbert are the most prominent names in that group, each capable of applying pressure from the very first tee shot. Cameron Young, Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and Rory McIlroy also began Saturday’s round within range of the lead, underlining the strength of the field still in contention as the tournament reaches its conclusion.

What Is Ryan Fox’s Story Going Into Sunday?

Ryan Fox has been one of the standout performers of the week, having only made the halfway cut on the number before firing a third-round 62 to match the major championship record and vault himself into genuine title contention. The New Zealander, who has never previously recorded a top-ten finish in 28 major championship starts, will play in the final group alongside Burns on Sunday. His transformation from cut-line survivor to final-group contender has been one of the most eye-catching threads of the tournament.

How Did Lucas Herbert’s Record-Tying Round Shape The Tournament?

Lucas Herbert set the tone for the entire weekend when he carded a Friday round of 62, becoming only the sixth player in major championship history to reach that number, and taking a two-stroke lead into the weekend as a result. The Australian’s round was later matched by Sam Burns on the same day and by Ryan Fox on Saturday, meaning three different players have now posted 62s at Royal Birkdale during this Open Championship. Herbert remains firmly in the mix heading into the final round, sharing top billing among the group chasing Burns.

What Personal Story Lies Behind Sam Burns’ Run At The Title?

Away from the leaderboard, Burns’ presence in the field at all has its own story attached. His wife was due to give birth to their second child this week, but when their daughter arrived earlier than expected on 3 July, Burns made the decision the following Friday to travel across the Atlantic for another attempt at a major championship title. That last-minute call has been vindicated by a performance that now has him one round away from the Claret Jug.

Where Does Home Favourite Tommy Fleetwood Stand?

Tommy Fleetwood, playing in front of a home crowd having grown up close to the Lancashire coast, made a strong start to Moving Day and remains a name to watch as the tournament heads into its final round. Fleetwood has long been a fixture near the top of major championship leaderboards without yet converting that consistency into a first major title, and Royal Birkdale’s local support will be firmly behind him as he attempts to close the gap on Burns.

What Are The Tee Times For Sunday’s Final Round At Royal Birkdale?

The final round tee times for the 154th Open Championship have been confirmed, with players going off in pairs from the first tee. Times below are given in US Eastern Time.

Which Groups Deserve The Closest Attention On Sunday?

The final three groups of the day carry the greatest significance for the destination of the Claret Jug. Ryan Gerard and Si Woo Kim tee off at 9:10 a.m. ET, immediately ahead of the marquee pairing of Ryan Fox and Sam Burns at 9:20 a.m. ET in the final group. Ludvig Aberg and Lucas Herbert, off at 9:00 a.m. ET, will also be watched closely given Herbert’s position among the leading contenders. Further down the order, Jackson Suber and Bryson DeChambeau tee off at 8:50 a.m. ET, a pairing that carries extra intrigue given the penalty controversy that shaped DeChambeau’s second round.

Jackson Suber, who has remained in touch with the lead throughout the week, offered a measured assessment of his position heading into the weekend. In coverage carried by Golf Monthly’s live reporting team, Suber said he felt he “could have probably shot 67 or 66” during his round, while acknowledging he felt “a little too far behind” the leaders.

Featured groups selections for Sunday’s broadcast coverage had not been formally announced as of the time of publication.

What Are The Standout Storylines Heading Into The Final Round?

Several threads run through Sunday’s final round beyond the identity of the leader. Bryson DeChambeau’s pursuit of a third major title continues despite his Friday penalty, and any late charge would rank among the more dramatic recoveries in recent Open history. Ryan Fox’s run from projected missed cut to final-group contender adds a fresh narrative to a tournament that already produced three rounds of 62 across three different players. Meanwhile, Sam Burns arrives at the final round carrying both a two-shot lead and a personal story that has added extra weight to his pursuit of a first major championship.
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What Is Royal Birkdale’s Significance As An Open Venue?

Royal Birkdale, on the Lancashire coast near Southport, is one of the established venues on the Open Championship rotation and has a long history of staging the tournament. This week’s edition, the 154th playing of the Open, has already produced record-equalling scoring, with three separate rounds of 62 recorded across the first three days — a reflection of scoring conditions that have rewarded aggressive, confident golf on the links layout.

What Happens Next At The 154th Open Championship?

Sunday’s final round will decide the destination of the Claret Jug, with Sam Burns holding a two-shot advantage over a group of contenders that includes Ryan Fox, Si Woo Kim and Lucas Herbert, and with Bryson DeChambeau still lurking at six under par despite his penalty. The final group of Fox and Burns is due off at 9:20 a.m. ET (2:20 p.m. BST), with the destiny of the tournament likely to be shaped over the closing holes at Royal Birkdale.