Burns' Inspiring Golf Lead
Sam Burns Takes British Open Lead After Daughter's Birth, Records Impressive Rounds
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Sam Burns walked into the British Open at Royal Birkdale with a newborn daughter at home and no real plan to be there — and now he leads the tournament. After shooting a record-tying 62 in round two and a 5-under 65 on Saturday, Burns sits at 10-under par 200, two shots ahead of Si Woo Kim and Ryan Fox, according to Newsday.
The Louisiana native had originally planned to skip the Open Championship entirely after his daughter was born. Instead, he flew across the Atlantic to compete — and now stands one round away from his first major title, according to The Republic News.
Burns Flew to Birkdale Days After Daughter Was Born
Burns's daughter was due the week before the Open began. He had told people close to him that he would skip the event. After she arrived safely, he made a last-minute decision to fly from Louisiana to Southport, England, Beaumont Enterprise reported. It turned out to be one of the best calls of his career.
In round two, Burns fired a 62 that tied the course record at Royal Birkdale. He backed it up Saturday with a 65. That gives him a 54-hole total of 200, good for a two-shot cushion heading into Sunday's final round, according to Lufkin Daily News.
DeChambeau Plays On After Two-Shot Penalty Protest
Bryson DeChambeau played alongside Burns on Saturday and drew loud support from the gallery. The crowd rallied behind him just one day after he publicly protested a two-shot penalty he received for improving his swing area, according to WSOC-TV.
Despite the penalty drama, DeChambeau kept his composure. He remains the only player inside the top 10 on the leaderboard who has already won a major championship, per The Republic News. That experience could matter on a tough Sunday at Birkdale.
Si Woo Kim and Ryan Fox Chase Burns Into Sunday
Si Woo Kim and Ryan Fox are both two shots back at 8-under par. They will need Burns to slip up on Sunday to have a real chance. The field is tight, but Burns has been the most consistent player all week, according to Seattle PI.
Fox, the New Zealand golfer, has been one of the surprises of the week. Kim, a South Korean star known for clutch play, will also be in contention. Burns will need to hold off both of them in what figures to be a dramatic final round, Local 10 reported.
Burns Still Hunting His First Major Title
Burns has won multiple times on the PGA Tour but has never claimed a major. Sunday at Royal Birkdale gives him his clearest shot yet. He is playing in a tournament he nearly skipped — and leading it with 18 holes to go, according to Voice of Alexandria.
The story writes itself: a new father flies overseas on short notice, ties a course record, and takes a two-shot lead into the final round of one of golf's most storied events. Whether Burns can close it out Sunday remains to be seen, Post Register noted.
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