Sam Burns Surprises Everyone With a Big Lead at the Open Championship

A Baby, a Change of Mind, and a Great Chance

Imagine you just had a tiny baby girl at home. Now imagine flying far away to play a big golf game you didn’t even plan to join. That’s what Sam Burns did!

• His daughter Belle was born on July 3.
• One week before the tournament, he changed his mind and flew from Louisiana to England.
• Two weeks after Belle was born, he played in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

Important Point: Burns is now leading the tournament, even though he never thought he would play in it at all!

How the Magic Happened

Burns played super well:

1. He shot a 62 (tying a record) earlier in the week.
2. On Saturday, he shot a 5-under 65 (that means 65 strokes, which is really good).
3. He built a two-shot lead over the rest of the players.

His total score is 10-under 200. He is ahead of:

• Si Woo Kim (67)
• Ryan Fox (67), who also shot a 62, tying the major record

Playing Next to the Drama King

Burns played next to Bryson DeChambeau, who is like the class clown of golf.

• The day before, Bryson got a two-shot penalty (a punishment that adds 2 strokes) for "improving the area of his swing." He loudly complained about it.
• On Saturday, Bryson stayed cheerful, high-fived fans, and gave thumbs-up.
• He shot a 69, his sixth round in the 60s at the British Open.
• Rory McIlroy called Bryson’s complaint "performative" (like acting for attention) and said he held the tournament "hostage" because it delayed others.

Important Point: Bryson is four shots behind Burns. He is the only top-10 player who has already won a major (the U.S. Open in 2020 and 2024).

Why This Is Special for Burns

Burns didn’t think he could come because his wife was due to have their baby right before the Open.

• Their first child was born late, so he expected the same.
• But Belle came early and gave him the idea to play.
• His wife Caroline told him: "I’ve got this at home. Go over there and give it your best."
• He talked to his friend Scottie Scheffler and decided to fly over one week before the tournament.

When someone said dads with new babies have more freedom, Burns joked: "If I was aware of that, I’d have like eight kids by now."

The Close Runners-Up

Here are the players chasing Burns:

• Ryan Fox (New Zealand, age 39): two shots back, in his first major chance.
• Si Woo Kim: two shots back.
• Ryan Gerard and Lucas Herbert: three shots back. None of these four have won a major.

Lucas Herbert said: "Sam Burns is going to be a man possessed. He’s going to be very tough to beat."

Friends and Defending Champs

• Scottie Scheffler (world No. 1 and defending champ) is Burns’s close friend. He says Burns just needs more experience and chances.
• Scheffler shot 70 and is six shots behind because he can’t make putts (the tiny taps at the end).
• Tommy Fleetwood (from Southport, the town hosting) is five back.
• Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele are six back.

What the Course Is Like

The golf course is:

• Baked (dry) and brown
• Running fast (balls roll a lot)
• Has wispy rough (tall grass) but the big challenge is avoiding sand bunkers
• Not very windy since the first day

Eight players are within four shots of the lead going into the final round — so it’s still a close race!

Summary

Sam Burns didn’t plan to play the Open Championship because his baby was due. But his daughter Belle arrived early, his wife encouraged him, and he flew to England. Now he leads by two shots after great rounds. Bryson DeChambeau made drama with a penalty but is four back. Many never-won-a-major players are close behind, and the course is dry and fast for the final day.

FAQ

1. What is the Open Championship?

It’s a super important golf tournament (called a "major") played in England this year at Royal Birkdale.

2. Why didn’t Sam Burns plan to play?

His wife was about to have a baby, and he thought he’d be at home. The baby came early, so he changed his mind.

3. What does "two-shot penalty" mean?

It means the rules said Bryson did something wrong, so he had to add 2 extra strokes to his score.

4. Has Sam Burns won a major before?

No, he has been close (like at the U.S. Open) but never won one yet.

5. Who is the only top player who already won a major this week?

Bryson DeChambeau, who won the U.S. Open in 2020 and 2024.