2026 British Open Round 3 updates: Sam Burns grabs Open lead with Saturday 65
Sam Burns claimed the lead at the 2026 Open Championship on Saturday, finishing a impressive 5-under 65 at Royal Birkdale. Burns enters the final round at 10-under par, holding a two-shot cushion over Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim. This performance follows his record-tying 62 in the second round, placing him in prime position to secure his first major title.
The leaderboard remains tight as the tournament heads into Sunday. Only five shots separate the top ten players, creating a crowded field of contenders. Notable names such as Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Shane Lowry remain within striking distance, each sitting at 4-under par or better. The scoring conditions at Royal Birkdale have remained favorable throughout the day, allowing players to attack the pins and maintain pace with the leaders.
While Burns leads the pack, other players made significant moves during the third round. Ryan Fox surged up the leaderboard after carding an impressive 62, matching the tournament record previously set by both Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns. Meanwhile, local favorite Tommy Fleetwood remains in contention despite a turbulent finish to his round. Fleetwood attracted a massive crowd following throughout the day but struggled with a few late bogeys.
Scottie Scheffler continues to strike the ball with precision, yet struggles with his putter have kept him from climbing higher. Scheffler currently ranks low in putting statistics for the week, necessitating a significant turnaround on the greens for a successful defense of the claret jug. Cameron Young, who held a share of the lead early in the round, fell back after a difficult final eight holes that included four bogeys.
Sunday promises a tense finish as the field navigates the final 18 holes of this major championship. With the top of the leaderboard stacked with major winners and surging challengers, the outcome is far from certain. Fans can expect a high-stakes battle for the trophy as players contend with the course and the pressure of a Sunday afternoon at one of the sport's most historic venues.