Sam Burns Holds Two-Shot Lead at The Open After Record-Breaking Run

Sam Burns shot a 5-under-par 65 in the third round of The Open Championship on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. He stands at 10-under 200 for the tournament.

Burns is ahead of New Zealand's Ryan Fox, who carded a third-round 62 to tie the major championship record, and South Korea's Si Woo Kim, who posted a 67. Both are at 8 under.

The American is seeking his first major title after strong performances earlier this year, including a tie for second at the Masters and a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open. His 62-65 over the past two rounds is the lowest 36-hole stretch in major championship history.

Burns has five PGA Tour victories but none this year.

Fox matched the majors record with his 62, becoming the third golfer in this tournament to post that score, joining Burns and second-round leader Lucas Herbert of Australia. Fox made the cut by two strokes and moved to 8 under after playing the first eight holes in 5 under.

Herbert, whose lone PGA Tour win came at the 2021 Butterfield Bermuda Championship, stumbled to a 71 and is tied for fourth with Ryan Gerard (69) at 7 under.

Bryson DeChambeau, who faced controversy after a two-stroke penalty in the second round, shot a steady 69 to hold a share of sixth place. His only bogey came on the second hole until the final hole, with birdies on Nos. 6, 15 and 17. He is at 6 under with Sweden's Ludvig Aberg (67) and first-round leader Jackson Suber (70).

Defending champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who began the round four strokes off the lead, shot 70 and remains at 4 under. His round included a birdie on No. 5, a bogey on No. 16 and 16 pars.