Sam Burns has established a two-shot lead heading into the final day of The Open at Royal Birkdale. His consistent performance sets him apart as the player to beat for the 154th Open Championship title.
Burns showcased an impressive display in the third round, carding a five-under 65. This excellent score followed his record-equalling round of 62 on Friday, culminating in a remarkable 127 shots across his second and third rounds.
This combined total of 127 shots is a significant achievement, marking the lowest second and third round total in men’s major history. James Gregg, a BBC Radio 5 Live commentator at Royal Birkdale, described Burns’ feat as “some going.”
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after his rounds, Sam Burns reflected on his contrasting performances. He noted that “Yesterday was a bit different. I was so far out and just trying to find my way back.” Burns added, regarding his third round, that “Today I was trying to insert myself.”
The anticipation now builds for Sunday, the culminating day where the winner of the prestigious Claret Jug will be crowned. Spectators and followers can look forward to live text and radio coverage of the final day’s action.
The tee-times for Sunday are still in the process of being finalised and will be made available for viewing on the BBC’s golf page a little later on. Play is scheduled to begin earlier than it did on Saturday, with the final group expected to tee off at approximately 14:30 BST.
The Claret Jug Contention: History and Prospects
While Sam Burns is undeniably the primary target, standing as “the man they’re all trying to catch,” a considerable number of players remain firmly in contention. History provides a clear perspective on the requirements for victory in The Open Championship.
To win the Claret Jug, a player generally needs to be reasonably close to the leader when heading into Open Championship Sunday. This historical trend highlights the difficulty of mounting a significant comeback in the tournament’s final round.
Indeed, history records that only 13 players have defied these odds, winning The Open despite being outside of the top four positions after the third round. Francesco Molinari’s victory in 2018 at Carnoustie serves as the most recent example of such an extraordinary feat.
Furthermore, the challenge of closing a substantial gap is underscored by another statistic: only 13 players have managed to come from four or more shots behind the leader after 54 holes to claim The Open title. Cameron Smith’s triumph in the 2022 Open at St Andrews provides a memorable illustration, as he overcame a four-shot deficit against Rory McIlroy.
However, the prevailing conditions and performances at Royal Birkdale this week suggest that tomorrow could potentially bring forth another memorable comeback. The course has played in a manner conducive to low scores, fostering an environment where significant leaderboard shifts are possible.
Presently, only seven players find themselves within four shots of Sam Burns’ lead. This close grouping naturally prompts the question of whether the final day could witness a comeback even larger than four shots, adding an element of unpredictability to the tournament.
A wider perspective on the leaderboard shows that a total of 18 players are positioned within six shots of the current lead. While conventional wisdom suggests looking beyond this range for a potential winner is unlikely, The Open’s history does hold one remarkable exception.
The record for the largest comeback in The Open stands at an astonishing 10 shots, an epic success achieved by Paul Lawrie during his Carnoustie victory in 1999. This historical precedent reminds competitors and fans alike that dramatic turnarounds are within the realm of possibility at this storied championship.
Concluding Third Round Performances
Among those who completed their third rounds at Royal Birkdale was Lucas Herbert. He posted a score of one-over 71, a round that was nine shots higher than what James Gregg referred to as his “Friday fireworks.”
Herbert will commence Sunday’s final round three shots adrift of Sam Burns, placing him among the chasing pack. His focus will undoubtedly be on recovering ground lost during Saturday’s play.
Jackson Suber also finished his third round, and he will begin the final day positioned one shot further back than Herbert. Suber’s attempt for a 12-footer for birdie regrettably slipped past the hole, leading to a tap-in for par.
Both Lucas Herbert and Jackson Suber were met with warm applause from the appreciative spectators as they concluded their respective rounds. With their final putts dropping, the third round of The Open was officially “done and dusted.”
Sam Burns, having secured “another great round from him today,” according to commentary, will now focus on the ultimate goal. James Gregg’s observation that Burns “will want to put the whole thing together and be lifting the Claret Jug tomorrow” perfectly encapsulates the challenge and ambition awaiting the leader.
All eyes will be on Royal Birkdale for Sunday’s final round, as the climax of the 154th Open Championship draws near. Fans can catch up with all of Saturday’s action from Royal Birkdale in a highlights show available on BBC Two and the BBC iPlayer.