On a blustery Sunday afternoon at Royal Birkdale, Sam Burns, a 30-year-old American with five PGA Tour wins, stepped onto the 1st tee with a two-shot lead and the chance to claim golf's oldest major championship. The 2026 Open is the 152nd edition of the tournament, first played in 1860, and is one of the four professional majors. Royal Birkdale, a links course in Southport, Merseyside, is hosting the event for the ninth time.
Burns has been steady all week. He turned professional in 2017 and won his first PGA Tour event in 2021. His wife Caroline, whom he met at church in Shreveport, Louisiana, when they were both five, has been a constant support. The couple married in 2019 and have a two-year-old son, Bear, with a second child due in July. Caroline, a marketing graduate and counsellor, often watches from the gallery.
“The 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale: Sam Burns leads, Bryson DeChambeau controversy, and what makes golf's oldest major special.”
The tournament has also been marked by controversy. Bryson DeChambeau, a former US Open champion and LIV Golf player, has been accused by fellow competitors of deliberately slowing down play. Rory McIlroy said DeChambeau is 'holding the Open hostage' and called his behaviour 'performative' and attention-seeking. McIlroy added he is 'not particularly fond' of the American.
For UK readers, The Open is a highlight of the sporting summer. Past editions at Royal Birkdale have produced iconic moments—from Padraig Harrington's 2008 victory to Greg Norman's collapse in 1996. This year, the leaderboard includes British hopes such as Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, alongside Americans Burns, DeChambeau and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. The result will influence discussions about the pace of play and the divide between traditional tours and LIV Golf.
Q: Who is Sam Burns? Sam Burns, 30, is an American professional golfer from Shreveport, Louisiana. He has five PGA Tour wins and holds a two-shot lead after three rounds of the 2026 Open. He is seeking his first major title.
Q: Why is Bryson DeChambeau controversial at the 2026 Open? Bryson DeChambeau has been accused by fellow players of deliberately playing slowly to disrupt rivals. Rory McIlroy said he is 'holding the Open hostage' and described his actions as 'performative'. The incident has reignited debate over slow play in golf.
Q: What is Royal Birkdale? Royal Birkdale is a links golf course in Southport, Merseyside, on the west coast of England. It has hosted The Open nine times, including in 2026. Known for its dunes and challenging layout, it is a regular venue in the Open rota.
The final round is set to conclude on Sunday. Burns will try to hold off a chasing pack that includes DeChambeau, Scheffler and others. The winner receives the Claret Jug. Beyond the result, the R&A may face pressure to review pace-of-play rules after the DeChambeau controversy.