Sam Burns Takes 2-Shot Open Lead Into Round 4 as Ryan Fox Joins 8-Under Chase

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 · NBC Sports · Jul 19

Sam Burns will tee off at 9:20 a.m. EDT with Ryan Fox in Sunday's final pairing, carrying a two-shot lead into the last round of the 154th Open Championship.
8-under Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim start the day tied for second after Fox matched the championship's record low round with a 62, joining Burns and Lucas Herbert in that mark this weekend.
7:55 a.m. featured-group coverage includes Jon Rahm and Shane Lowry, while the main Round 4 broadcast runs from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. across USA Network, NBC and Peacock.
Royal Birkdale has yielded unusually low scoring in favorable conditions, setting up a final round with Burns chasing his first major title.