Sam Burns makes surprise Open Championship decision after family update
Burns had been widely tipped to skip Royal Birkdale following last month's U.S. Open, but the five-time PGA Tour winner has travelled to England and will compete at The Open.
Sam Burns is set to compete in the 154th Open Championship after all, despite widespread reports following last month's U.S. Open that he would miss the final major of the season.
The American had been expected to stay in the United States as he and his wife prepare to welcome their second child.
Following Burns' runner-up finish at the U.S. Open, his mother, Beth, told The Athletic that her son would not be making the trip to Royal Birkdale.
"He won't go to Europe," she said. "This is his last major. They're going to go home and have a baby."
Burns himself offered little indication of his plans after the U.S. Open, confirming only that his wife Caroline was 37 weeks pregnant and that he intended to play the Travelers Championship the following week, where he finished tied for 12th.
The 29-year-old then skipped last week's Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, further fuelling speculation that he would also sit out The Open.
Instead, Burns arrived at Royal Birkdale on Monday and was spotted playing a practice round after starting from the 10th hole, confirming his place in the field for the year's final major championship.
Burns heads into the final major of the season ranked 18th in the world and sits 10th in the FedEx Cup standings after another impressive PGA Tour campaign.
Although he has not won a tournament now since the WGC Match Play in March 2023, Burns arrives at the 154th Open off the back of four straight top-20 finishes.
Alongside his impressive runner-up finish at the U.S. Open where he fell one shot shy of winner Wyndham Clark, he has also recorded top-10 finishes at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, The Masters and the Memorial Tournament this season.
The Open will mark Burns' sixth appearance in the championship.
He has not performed particularly well in this major though, with his best result a tie for 31st at Royal Troon in 2024.
Burns is a five-time PGA Tour winner but is still seeking a first major title.
He is scheduled to begin his opening round on Thursday at 2:31 p.m. local time alongside Adam Scott and Chris Gotterup.
Here's a look at the full 156-man field at The Open, and the first and second round tee times.
Andy Roberts first joined GolfMagic on a month's work experience back in April 2011.
Andy then assumed the role of GolfMagic Editor in 2015.
