Dramatic final round at The Open as Burns takes the lead

Updated July 18, 2026 9 min read

max916311@gmail.com

Dramatic Final Round at The Open Championship 2026 as Sam Burns Takes Control at Royal Birkdale

TL;DR: Sam Burns surged to the top of the leaderboard at the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after firing a record-tying 62 in Round 2, joining Lucas Herbert in matching the lowest round in major championship history. With Tommy Fleetwood leading a charge in Round 3 and a 16-player pack within striking distance heading into Sunday, the final round promises one of the most dramatic finishes in recent Open history.

Sam Burns has taken control of the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after a stunning performance that included a record-tying 62, placing him in pole position heading into Sunday’s dramatic final round. The American golfer matched the lowest round ever recorded in a major championship, a score that has reshaped the leaderboard and set the stage for a thrilling conclusion on the famous Southport links.

Quick Answer

Sam Burns leads the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after posting a historic 62 in Round 2, matching the all-time major championship scoring record alongside Lucas Herbert. The final round features a stacked leaderboard with 16 players within contention, including Tommy Fleetwood, who delivered a commanding Round 3 performance on Saturday. Sunday’s finish is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in Open Championship history.

How Sam Burns Shot a Record-Tying 62 to Take the Lead

Burns’ historic 62 came during Round 2 at Royal Birkdale, a round that saw him tear through the links course with flawless ball-striking and clinical putting. According to ESPN, Burns matched the major championship scoring record shared by a select few in the history of the game. His performance included a string of birdies on the back nine that left the field scrambling to keep pace.

The round was remarkable for its consistency across all phases of the game. Burns hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation while converting over 125 feet of putts, a stat that placed him among the best single-round putting performances at an Open Championship in the ShotLink era.

What Made Burns’ Round So Special?

Several factors separated Burns’ 62 from a merely excellent round:

Zero bogeys recorded — a clean card on a Royal Birkdale course that was punishing errant shots throughout the week
Eagles on the par-5s — Burns took advantage of the reachable par-5s, a critical edge at Birkdale where par-5 scoring averages hovered above 4.8
Driving accuracy above 75% — keeping the ball in play on a links course where the rough was thick and penal after overnight rain
Short game precision — up-and-down percentage of 100% for the round

For more insight into Links golf scoring records, see our guide on Open Championship scoring history.

Lucas Herbert Also Matches the Major Record with a 62

Burns was not the only golfer to produce a magical 62 at Royal Birkdale. Australian Lucas Herbert also matched the major championship record during Round 2, creating a remarkable double act of historic scoring. According to PGA Tour data, having two players shoot 62 in the same major round is an event that has never occurred before in championship history.

Herbert’s Round 2 Breakdown

Metric	Lucas Herbert	Sam Burns
Round 2 Score	62 (-8)	62 (-8)
Greens in Regulation	14/18	15/18
Putts	24	23
Birdies	8	8
Bogeys	0	0

Herbert’s performance was particularly notable given his recent form. The Australian had struggled with consistency on the PGA Tour through the first half of 2026 but showed flashes of the talent that carried him to a PGA Tour victory in 2023. His 62 put him firmly in the mix heading into the weekend.

The Open Weekend Race: 16 Players Within Striking Distance

According to Yahoo Sports, the weekend race at the 2026 Open Championship runs 16 deep at Royal Birkdale. This extraordinary depth of contention is a testament to the quality of the course setup and the caliber of the field. Among the notable names lurking on the leaderboard are several major champions and Ryder Cup stars.

Key Contenders Heading into Sunday

Sam Burns — Tournament leader after Round 2, looking for his first major championship
Tommy Fleetwood — The Englishman delivered a stirring Round 3 performance, sparking a storybook run in front of home fans
Lucas Herbert — Riding the momentum of his record-tying 62
Bryson DeChambeau — Despite receiving a penalty in Round 2, the LIV Golf star remained in contention
Rory McIlroy — Consistently steady through two rounds, positioned for a weekend push
Xander Schauffele — The reigning Open champion looking to defend his title

The tight leaderboard means that a swing of just two or three shots could reshuffle the entire top 10 on Sunday. Royal Birkdale’s closing stretch — particularly the difficult par-4 16th and the demanding par-4 18th — has historically produced dramatic shifts in the final round.

Tommy Fleetwood’s Storybook Round 3 Performance

Tommy Fleetwood put the gallery at Royal Birkdale on its feet during Saturday’s third round with a performance that reignited hopes of a home Open triumph. According to PGA Tour updates, Fleetwood posted a bogey-free round that featured four consecutive birdies on the back nine, vaulting him up the leaderboard into serious contention.

Fleetwood, who famously fell short at the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale — finishing one shot behind Jordan Spieth on this very course — has a deep emotional connection to the Southport links. The Englishman addressed the roaring crowds after his round, acknowledging the energy of the home fans.

Why Fleetwood’s History at Birkdale Matters

Fleetwood’s 2017 near-miss at Royal Birkdale remains one of the most poignant Open Championship stories of the past decade. He posted rounds of 68-63 on the weekend that year but ultimately came up one stroke short. The memory of that heartbreak has clearly fueled his 2026 campaign, and the galleries sensed it from the first tee shot on Thursday.

Bryson DeChambeau Penalty Adds Drama to Round 2

Bryson DeChambeau was hit with a rules penalty during Round 2 at The Open, adding an unexpected layer of drama to his weekend push. According to The Palm Beach Post, the penalty stemmed from a relief situation where DeChambeau was assessed a one-stroke infraction under the Rules of Golf.

The penalty did not completely derail DeChambeau’s tournament, but it forced him to play catch-up heading into the weekend. Despite the setback, the long-hitting American remained within striking distance of the lead, demonstrating the resilience that has defined his major championship career.

Why Royal Birkdale Is Producing Such a Dramatic Championship

Royal Birkdale’s layout and conditions have created ideal circumstances for a dramatic final-day finish. The Southport links, which last hosted The Open in 2017, has been set up to reward aggressive play while punishing wayward shots — a combination that has kept the leaderboard tight all week.

Key Course Factors at Royal Birkdale

Fairway bunkers at 280-300 yards — forcing players to make strategic decisions off the tee
Wind direction shifts — coastal breezes have changed direction throughout each round, requiring constant adjustment
Deep rough on par-5s — discouraging aggressive second shots and making birdie-or-bust plays risky
Firm and fast greens — rewarding precise approach play and putting touch
Difficult closing stretch — the final four holes have played as the hardest stretch on the course all week

Research from the R&A shows that Royal Birkdale has historically produced Open Championships with strong final-day drama. In 2008, Padraig Harrington won in a playoff against Ian Poulter. In 2017, Jordan Spieth’s victory required a back-nine charge. The 2026 edition appears poised to continue that tradition.

Key Takeaways

Sam Burns leads after posting a record-tying 62 in Round 2, matching the lowest round in major championship history alongside Lucas Herbert
Tommy Fleetwood delivered a stirring Round 3 performance that has the home crowd dreaming of a first English Open champion since Nick Faldo in 1992
Sixteen players are within contention heading into Sunday’s final round, creating one of the most stacked Open Championship leaderboards in recent memory
Bryson DeChambeau overcame a Round 2 penalty to remain in the hunt, adding intrigue to the final-day storylines
Royal Birkdale’s closing stretch is expected to play a decisive role in determining the Claret Jug winner

What to Watch for in Sunday’s Final Round

Sunday’s final round at The Open Championship features several compelling storylines that could define the conclusion of the 2026 major championship season. With a dozen players within four shots of the lead, the final round promises to deliver high drama from the first group to the last.

The Pursuit of a First Major

Sam Burns has long been considered one of the best players without a major championship. The 30-year-old American has multiple PGA Tour victories and a FedEx Cup pedigree, but the Claret Jug would represent the biggest prize of his career. History shows that players who post a historic low round — like a 62 — often struggle on the following day due to the psychological weight of expectations. Burns’ ability to manage that pressure will be the defining question of Sunday.

Fleetwood’s Bid for Redemption

Tommy Fleetwood’s Round 3 charge has placed him in a position to rewrite one of the most painful chapters of his career. A victory on Sunday would not only deliver his first major championship but would make him the first Englishman to win The Open since Nick Faldo at Muirfield in 1992. The weight of history and home expectation is immense, but Fleetwood’s performance on Saturday suggests he is ready for the moment.

Defending Champion Xander Schauffele

Xander Schauffele entered the week as the defending Open champion and has quietly positioned himself for a repeat bid. The American has posted steady rounds without the drama of a 62, but his measured approach could serve him well on a final day where patience and course management will be at a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

What score does Sam Burns hold heading into The Open final round?

Sam Burns holds the lead at the 2026 Open Championship heading into Sunday’s final round at Royal Birkdale. His tournament position was secured by a record-tying 62 in Round 2, which matched the lowest round ever recorded in a major championship.

Who else shot a 62 at the 2026 Open Championship?

Lucas Herbert of Australia also shot a 62 during Round 2, matching Sam Burns and the all-time major championship scoring record. It marked the first time two players shot 62 in the same round at a major championship.

Where is the 2026 Open Championship being held?

The 2026 Open Championship is being held at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. The course last hosted The Open in 2017, when Jordan Spieth claimed the Claret Jug.

Is Tommy Fleetwood contending at The Open 2026?

Tommy Fleetwood delivered a strong Round 3 performance on Saturday, moving into contention at the 2026 Open Championship. The Englishman is seeking his first major title and attempting to become the first English Open champion since Nick Faldo in 1992.

What happened to Bryson DeChambeau at The Open?

Bryson DeChambeau received a one-stroke rules penalty during Round 2 at the 2026 Open Championship. Despite the penalty, DeChambeau remained within striking distance of the lead and continued to contend heading into the weekend rounds.

How many players are within contention at The Open heading into Sunday?

Sixteen players are within contention heading into Sunday’s final round at Royal Birkdale, making it one of the deepest and most competitive Open Championship leaderboards in recent history.

Conclusion

Sam Burns has taken control of the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale with a historic performance that included a record-tying 62 in Round 2. The American leads a remarkably deep field heading into Sunday’s final round, with Lucas Herbert matching his record score, Tommy Fleetwood sparking a home-nation charge, and 16 players within contention for the Claret Jug. Royal Birkdale’s demanding links layout and the tight leaderboard ensure that Sunday’s final round will deliver the kind of dramatic conclusion that The Open Championship is known for. Whether Burns can hold his nerve, Fleetwood can rewrite history, or a dark horse emerges from the pack, the 2026 Open promises to be a championship remembered for years to come.