Major winners struggle at Royal Birkdale

American Sam Burns leads the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, Southport, England (16-19 July) after recording a 5-under par 65 in the third round to bring his tally to 10-under par.  The 29-year old from Louisiana is two shots ahead of Ryan Fox (New Zealand) and Si Woo Kim (South Korea).

 

Sam Burns was runner-up to fellow-countryman Wyndham Clark in the US Open last month and has his heart set on victory at Royal Birkdale, and taking the Claret Jug home.  Certainly after his breathtaking second round of 62 when he holed-out from the sandbunker at the final hole for his third consecutive birdie to record a really impressive 8-under par.

 

The third round of Burns included four tremendous birdies in the first eight holes and then a bogey to go out in 31.  Two more birdies on the back nine, including a birdie at the par-5, 559 yard 17th, gave him a two-shot lead.

 

The two players hot in his heels are Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim.  Fox was also on fire Saturday when he shot an 8-under par 62.  Five birdies on the first nine was followed by three birdies on the back nine and one bogey at the 13th.  The 39-year old from New Zealand will be really focussed on Sunday for the final day’s play at Royal Birkdale.  South Korea’s Si Woo Kim too.  He carded a 3-under par 67 for a superb share of second place.

 

Australia’s Lucas Herbert and Ryan Gerard (USA) are a stroke further back on 7-under.  While Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, and Americans Jackson Suber and Bryson DeChambeau are four off the lead.

 

Tommy Fleetwood is flying the flag for England.  The 35-year old has been followed enthusiastically by the local crowds who saw him conjure-up a 1-under par 69 despite bogeys at the 15th and 18th to secure a share of ninth spot with Rasmus Neergard-Petersen (Denmark) on 5-under.

 

Some of the best golfers in the world are nestled together in a share of 11th spot on 4-under par.  Among them the World Number One and defending champion, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele.  The Masters Champion of 2025 from Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy, lies eight shots behind the leader on 2-under.  But with the final day of play on Sunday, who knows the magic the winner can bring!  It will be a tremendous round of golf in the 154th Open amongst the sand-dunes in Southport.  So please do relax and enjoy the spectacle!

 

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  American Sam Burns leads the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.