Burns holds Open lead; Fox, Kim two shots back
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- Sam Burns shot a 5-under 65 Saturday to reach 10-under 200, building a two-shot lead at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after his record-tying 62 on Friday.
- Burns decided just a week ago to fly from Louisiana after his daughter Belle was born July 3, with wife Caroline telling him: "I've got this at home. Go over there and give it your best."
- Ryan Fox became the third player this week to tie the major championship record with a 62, finishing 90 minutes before the last group even teed off to sit two shots behind Burns.
- Bryson DeChambeau shot a 69 after theatrically protesting a two-shot penalty for improving his area of swing on Friday; he is four shots back and the only major winner in the top 10.
- Rory McIlroy called DeChambeau's penalty protest "performative" and accused him of holding the tournament "hostage" after the late-evening scene delayed Saturday tee times.
- Scottie Scheffler carded a 70 and sits six shots back, playing well tee-to-green but unable to make putts after going 34 holes without a bogey.
- Tommy Fleetwood, the Southport native, shot 69 and trails by five, while Jon Rahm recovered from a double-bogey on the first hole for a 70 to sit six back.
Why it matters: Burns has been the 54-hole leader at consecutive U.S. Opens without converting, and was one 17-foot putt at Shinnecock last month from forcing a playoff. With eight players within four shots and no prior major winner ahead of him, the final round is his clearest shot yet at breaking through — or another heartbreaking near-miss.
