Sam Burns takes two-shot Open lead as chasers line up at Royal Birkdale
Burns sits 10 under entering Sunday, with Si Woo Kim, Ryan Fox, Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler among the names trying to catch him.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Sam Burns has the Claret Jug in his sights after a record-setting two-day surge at Royal Birkdale, taking a two-stroke lead into the final round of the 2026 Open.
CBS Sports reported that Burns, a five-time PGA Tour winner, followed a Friday round that matched the lowest score in major championship history with a 65 on Saturday, the second-best score of the day. His 127 total across those two rounds is the lowest back-to-back scoring mark in any men’s major, according to CBS Sports.
Burns will begin Sunday at 10 under, two shots ahead of Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim. The leaderboard has thinned out in one notable way: CBS Sports noted that Bryson DeChambeau, a two-time U.S. Open champion, is the only player inside the top 10 who has already won a major.
Burns has been close in big spots this year. CBS Sports reported that he was in the mix at the Masters and later pushed Wyndham Clark at Shinnecock Hills, where Clark began the final round six shots ahead and won by one.
Burns said after Saturday’s round that he could not manage what the rest of the field does, and expected someone to post a strong score Sunday.
“So, I'm going to have to do the same. I'm going to have to go out and execute,” Burns said, according to CBS Sports. “Ultimately, whatever happens, I know that I can accept the outcome, and life's going to move on. I'll get to go home and see my family. I hope I'm taking some hardware with me, but if I'm not, that's fine, too.”
The main threats behind Burns
DraftKings Sportsbook, as cited by CBS Sports, listed Kim at 9/2 among the contenders after a steady third round in which he hit 16 greens in regulation. CBS Sports reported that Kim said he feels comfortable with a later Sunday tee time, while also dealing with Achilles discomfort.
Fox sits alongside Kim, two shots back, and was listed at 8-1 by DraftKings. CBS Sports reported that Fox tied a major championship record Saturday morning and made roughly 150 feet of putts while moving from outside the top 50 into the final pairing.
Ryan Gerard, listed at 15-1, is making his first Open appearance, according to CBS Sports. The outlet noted that no debutant has won the Open in his first start since 2021.
Ludvig Åberg is also at 15-1 after recovering from an opening 71 with rounds of 66 and 67, CBS Sports reported. He enters the final round at 6 under.
Big names still lurking
DeChambeau, listed at 14-1, remains in range after a turbulent week. CBS Sports reported that he was assessed a two-stroke penalty Friday evening, then stayed in contention Saturday with key short-game saves late in the third round.
Tommy Fleetwood and Scottie Scheffler were both listed at 26-1. Fleetwood, playing in his hometown, was five shots behind Burns after a Saturday round that started strongly before a weaker back nine, according to CBS Sports.
Scheffler’s route is tighter. CBS Sports reported that he was 4 under through six holes for the tournament and remains 4 under after three rounds, having made only three birdies since that early burst. The outlet noted that his longest made putt Friday was from 8 feet and his longest Saturday was from 10 feet, both for par.
Burns owns the lead, the form and the record book entry. Sunday decides whether he leaves Royal Birkdale with the hardware he said he hopes to take home.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.