Photo Credit: Golfweek
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The stage is set for a dramatic finish at the 2026 Open Championship after an eventful third round at Royal Birkdale. Sam Burns surged into the lead with another outstanding performance, while several challengers stayed within striking distance entering Sunday’s final round. With the Claret Jug on the line, golf fans can expect an intense battle between proven stars and players chasing the biggest victory of their careers.
Burns enters the final round at 10-under par after shooting a 5-under 65 on Saturday. That round followed his spectacular 62 on Friday, giving him the lowest 36-hole scoring stretch in major championship history. His impressive weekend vaulted him to a two-shot lead and placed him in position to capture his first major championship.
The third round capped an incredible turnaround for Burns. He opened the tournament with a 73, leaving him well behind the leaders after Thursday. However, everything changed over the next two rounds. He attacked Royal Birkdale with confidence, made birdies in bunches, and climbed to the top of the leaderboard through consistent ball striking and steady putting.
Burns also entered the week unsure whether he would even compete in The Open. His wife, Caroline was expecting the couple’s child around the tournament dates, and many believed he would skip the championship. Instead, circumstances allowed him to travel to England, and he has made the most of the opportunity. Now, he stands just 18 holes away from lifting golf’s oldest trophy.
Ryan Fox produced one of the best rounds of the tournament on Saturday. The New Zealander fired a brilliant 8-under 62 to climb into a tie for second place at 8-under. His round matched the low score of the day and gave him plenty of momentum entering the championship round. Si Woo Kim joined Fox at 8-under after carding a solid 3-under 67. Kim stayed patient throughout the day and avoided costly mistakes. As a result, he earned a place in the final pairing alongside Burns on Sunday.
Ryan Gerard also remained firmly in contention after finishing the third round at 7-under. Although he failed to make a late charge, he consistently found fairways and greens while avoiding major mistakes. Lucas Herbert also finished at 7-under despite stumbling late with back-to-back bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes. Even so, Herbert stayed within three shots of the lead.
Bryson DeChambeau continued attracting attention throughout the day for both his play and his interactions with rules officials. The former major champion finished the third round tied for sixth at 6-under after shooting a 1-under 69. Despite lingering attention from his controversial two-shot penalty earlier in the week, DeChambeau remained composed and kept himself within reach of the leaders.
Throughout Saturday’s round, DeChambeau appeared relaxed despite the spotlight surrounding him. At one point, he joked with fans and officials while carefully walking through the rough, clearly referencing Friday’s penalty. Later, he called over a rules official after noticing his golf ball had moved, making sure everything remained within the Rules of Golf.
Although DeChambeau played from difficult positions several times, he repeatedly escaped trouble. Birdies on the 15th and 17th holes briefly pulled him closer to Burns before a bogey at the 18th dropped him back to 6-under. Even with that setback, he remains the only major champion currently sitting inside the top 10 on the leaderboard.
Jackson Suber also stayed in contention after finishing at 6-under. The first-round leader never regained the momentum that helped him open the tournament. Nevertheless, he remained close enough to challenge if Burns and the other leaders stumble on Sunday.
Ludvig Åberg finished alongside DeChambeau and Suber at 6-under after another steady performance. Meanwhile, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Tommy Fleetwood rounded out the top 10 at 5-under. Both players will need low rounds and some help from the leaders to have a realistic chance at the title.
Sunday’s pairings will follow the traditional Open Championship format. Tournament officials will arrange players according to their leaderboard positions after the third round. The leaders will tee off in the final pairing, while players farther behind will begin much earlier in the morning.
Last year’s Open Championship provides a good comparison for the schedule. Scottie Scheffler and Haotong Li played in the final pairing at Royal Portrush, while the first group began several hours earlier. Officials expect a similar schedule at Royal Birkdale for this year’s championship.
Fans will have several viewing options for the final round. USA Network begins television coverage at 4 a.m. Eastern before NBC takes over at 7 a.m. Peacock will also stream featured groups and provide a simulcast of NBC’s broadcast throughout the day.
Everything now points toward a memorable finish at Royal Birkdale. Burns owns the lead, but several talented players remain within striking distance. Fox, Kim, Herbert, Gerard, DeChambeau, Suber, and Åberg all have opportunities to make one final charge.
Eighteen holes remain before the Champion Golfer of the Year lifts the Claret Jug. Burns controls his own destiny, yet history has shown that final rounds at The Open rarely follow a predictable script. With multiple contenders still in the hunt, Sunday’s championship round promises plenty of drama before a new Open champion emerges.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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