SOUTHPORT, England — Sam Burns Shines at the British Open

There’s a strong case to be made that Sam Burns should win the 154th British Open at Royal Birkdale. In the second round last Friday, he delivered an impressive 62, matching a record, and followed it up with a 65 on Saturday.

Teaming up with Bryson DeChambeau, who added a sort of theatrical flair to the tournament, Burns has been a rock-solid performer. Among 156 players, he stands out as the most consistent, entering Sunday’s final round at 10 under and holding a two-stroke lead.

Ryan Fox, who also recorded a 62 on Saturday, is currently at 8 under, along with Siu Kim, who managed a 67. Lucas Herbert, with scores of 62 and 71, shares a tie with Ryan Gerrard, who shot 69, both sitting at 7 under.

Further back, DeChambeau, Ludwig Oberg, and Jackson Suber are tied for fourth at 6 under. Local favorite Tommy Fleetwood is a step behind at 5 under.

The last couple of days have been quite remarkable for Burns, a somewhat reserved player from Louisiana. Interestingly enough, he hadn’t even planned to compete this week since his wife, Caroline, gave birth to their daughter, Belle, on July 3.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect to be here at all. Caroline’s due date was actually this Tuesday,” Burns shared. “She was late with our son, and I thought we’d have more time. Belle clearly had other ideas.”

He added, “Even a few days after Belle’s birth, I wasn’t really thinking about the tournament. Caroline asked, ‘What are you thinking for next week?’ I was like, ‘I don’t know.’ It was kind of up in the air.”

In a surprising twist, she convinced him to play, saying, “This is local. Just go out there and do your best.”

Considering the competition, some might prefer Burns to stay home with his family instead. The first round didn’t go as he hoped—he ended up with a disappointing 73, including three bogeys in a row. Maybe he shouldn’t have sought his wife’s advice then.

After those first few holes, Burns admitted, “I was pretty upset, and that’s putting it mildly.” He reached out to Caroline, who reassured him, saying, “You’re there, I’m fine at home. Just focus on your game.”

That pep talk seemed crucial. Approaching the second round, Burns entered with a new mindset: “I felt like I had nothing to lose. My game was actually in a good spot.” He’s been close in past major tournaments, too, notably at the 2025 U.S. Open, where a rain delay impacted his chances, leaving him feeling frustrated.

At last month’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock, he missed the critical putt while chasing the eventual winner, leaving the 18th green in tears. Reflecting on those near misses, he admitted he had opportunities to win.

Credit goes to his best friend, Scottie Scheffler, with whom he often plays. “Some courses can be punishing, and I guess I haven’t learned the hard way enough yet,” Burns reflected. “But spending time with top players has definitely helped.” He noted how he learned from watching Scheffler, who rarely makes mistakes.

“I didn’t necessarily ask him for advice or anything,” Burns clarified. “It was more about observation. It has influenced me a lot in the majors—just seeing how he prepares and approaches the game.” He noted, “The margins for winning are thin. Sometimes, it’s just about getting that extra putt or chip. It all comes down to execution.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow, Burns stated the plan is simple: “Just go out there, see as much of the green as possible, and let’s see what happens.”