Sam Burns Surprises Everyone by Playing the Open Championship After Baby Arrives Early

A Big Surprise at Royal Birkdale

Many people were surprised to see golfer Sam Burns show up at Royal Birkdale this week for the Open Championship. He wasn’t supposed to be there! Here’s why:

• He did not plan to play in this year’s Open Championship.
• The reason was a very happy one: he and his wife Caroline were waiting for their second baby to be born.
• The baby’s due date was Tuesday, July 14 — only two days before the first round of the year’s final major golf tournament.

Because of that, Sam naturally planned to stay home and not travel across the ocean (from the U.S. to England).

Important Point: Even though Sam had just finished 2nd at last month’s U.S. Open (almost beating winner Wyndham Clark) and had four good finishes in a row (top 20), he still planned to skip the Open to be with his family.

As Sam told the PGA Tour on Wednesday: “I was expecting to be at home.”

The Baby Changed the Plan

But the baby had other plans!

• Sam, Caroline, and their son Bear (now a big brother) welcomed a baby girl named Belle on July 3.
• That was much earlier than the July 14 due date.

Sam said he wasn’t sure if he could be ready in his head to leave: “I still wasn’t sure if I could get there mentally. It’s just a weird dynamic of having a new baby, and you want to be there for them and your family. I think it was ultimately my decision of, could I get there from a mental standpoint of having to leave?”

Why He Decided to Go

If this had been any normal golf tournament (not a major), Sam would probably still be at home being a dad. But:

• His wife Caroline encouraged him to make the trip.
• The rest of the family, including proud grandparents, stayed in Louisiana to support her.
• After a few days off to celebrate Belle’s birth, Sam felt ready to play.

What Happens Next for Sam

Sam is now trying to turn his recent good play into his first major championship win.

• He has +4500 odds to win (that means bookmakers think he is a long shot, but still possible).
• He is playing in a group with Chris Gotterup and Adam Scott.
• Their group tees off at 9:42 a.m. ET on Thursday (which is afternoon time locally in England).

Important Point: The Open Championship is one of golf’s four major tournaments, and this is the final major of the year.

Summary

Sam Burns was not supposed to play the 2026 Open Championship because his second child was due two days before the event. But baby Belle arrived early on July 3. After his wife encouraged him to go and the family stayed home to help, Sam traveled to Royal Birkdale. He is now playing with good odds and a strong recent record, hoping to win his first major.

FAQ

1. Why didn’t Sam Burns plan to play the Open Championship?
He and his wife were expecting their second baby, with a due date just two days before the tournament started, so he planned to stay home.

2. When was Belle born?
Belle was born on July 3, earlier than her July 14 due date.

3. Who is Bear?
Bear is Sam and Caroline’s son and is now a big brother to Belle.

4. What are Sam’s odds to win?
He is listed at +4500 odds to win the Open Championship.

5. Who is he playing with in the first round?
He is grouped with Chris Gotterup and Adam Scott, teeing off at 9:42 a.m. ET on Thursday.