Sam Burns concluded the 2026 Open Championship in second place, finishing two strokes behind champion Ryan Fox. Burns held a two-stroke advantage entering the final round and was at 10 under par after Saturday’s play, but struggled on Sunday with an even-par round that left him unable to catch Fox, who claimed the Claret Jug.
The 29-year-old American has established himself as a consistent contender at major championships in recent seasons. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler acknowledged Burns’ elevated play in major events during the week, noting his frequency in top contention and his participation in recent Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups. Since the start of the 2024 season, Burns has positioned himself in significant contention approximately 50% of the time across 12 major tournaments. His major-championship appearances include a final-round 80 at Royal Troon in 2024, holding the 54-hole lead at Oakmont before faltering, and a final-round 67 at the U.S. Open in which he mounted a comeback attempt from seven strokes behind that fell short with missed birdie opportunities on the 71st and 72nd holes.
Despite his consistent major-championship performances, Burns remains without a major victory, marking a winless drought in PGA Tour events dating to the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play among top-20 world-ranked players. The article notes a contrast with recent major champions, including Fox, Wyndham Clark, and Aaron Rai, who captured their respective major titles without extensive previous major-championship success. Burns’ trajectory in elite golf continues upward, yet observers question when his sustained level of play will translate into a major championship breakthrough.
Burns expressed perspective following the tournament, stating he could accept the outcome and move forward positively regardless of championship results. His talent and persistence position him as a likely future major champion, though history suggests such opportunities require conversion when presented.