Sam Burns concluded the 154th British Open at Royal Birkdale with a third-place finish, a result that, while not a victory, left him "very pleased" with his performance in the major championship. Burns entered the final round with a two-shot lead but ultimately finished two shots behind winner Ryan Fox after shooting a 2-over-par 72 on Sunday.
His closing round saw him reach 11 under par with a birdie on the second hole, the lowest point any player reached during the tournament. However, a string of three consecutive bogeys on holes 4, 5, and 6 derailed his momentum, and he was unable to recover.
This performance marks Burns's best result at the British Open, surpassing his previous best of a tie for 31st in 2024. The week also saw him shoot a 62 on Friday and a 65 on Saturday, highlighting a strong overall performance.
The near-victory at Royal Birkdale follows a similar high-pressure situation at the U.S. Open last month, where Burns also held the 54-hole lead at Shinnecock but finished second after struggling in the final round. He missed a 17-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at Shinnecock that could have forced a playoff.
Burns's recent major championship stretch includes a tie for seventh at the Masters, second at the U.S. Open, and now third at the British Open, demonstrating a consistent presence among the top contenders. The golfer acknowledged that the pressure of final-round contention is part of the learning process. "The more you put yourself in this position, the better," Burns stated.
This appearance at the British Open was not initially in Burns's plans, as his wife, Caroline, gave birth to their daughter, Belle, on July 3. Caroline encouraged him to compete, and despite the result, Burns expressed gratitude for the opportunity and looked forward to returning home.
"Given the circumstances, I’m very pleased with the week,’’ Burns said. “I’m looking forward to being home."
He noted that he had not previously been a strong proponent of links golf, making his success at Royal Birkdale even more significant. Burns's performance indicates a significant step forward in his major championship career.