Sam Burns Leads Open by 2 Shots After Record 62-65 Major Stretch

Q: Can rising star Ludvig Aberg's elite ball-striking overcome his four-shot deficit to capture his first major title?

Yes — Åberg has a realistic chance, but he likely needs both a low round and some help from the leaders. The case for him is strong. Royal Birkdale this week has rewarded elite ball-striking, with firm, fast conditions and only moderate wind placing a premium on driving control and precise iron play. That fits Åberg’s profile. He is one of the best tee-to-green players in the game, ranked near the top of the PGA Tour in overall strokes gained and birdie production, and he has already shown in majors that his ball-striking can hold up under pressure. The four-shot gap is significant, but not prohibitive, especially on a leaderboard this compressed. Burns leads at 10-under, with Fox and Si Woo Kim at 8-under and several others between Åberg and the top. In scoreable conditions, a player can make up ground quickly, as shown by the multiple 62s posted this week, including Fox’s record-equalling round Saturday. The main question is whether Åberg can convert enough chances. His long game gives him the platform, but his putting has been less reliable than his ball-striking. In a final round chase, that matters: he may need something in the mid-60s, and that usually requires a hot putter as much as elite iron play. So the answer is yes, but not on ball-striking alone. If Åberg pairs his tee-to-green strength with a sharp putting day and stays patient in links conditions, he has the tools to win his first major.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 18

Sam Burns enters the final round at 10-under after a third-round 65, holding a two-shot lead at Royal Birkdale as he chases his first major title.
A 62 on Friday followed by Saturday's 65 gave Burns the lowest 36-hole stretch in major championship history, fueling a surge that put him ahead of Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim at 8-under.
Ryan Fox matched the major-round 62 with one of his own to reach the final pairing, while Bryson DeChambeau stayed within four shots at 6-under despite the two-stroke penalty assessed after round two.
Burns said lessons from watching world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler manage majors helped sharpen his approach, and his unexpected trip came only after wife Caroline urged him to play following daughter Belle's early birth.