Open 2026: Tommy Fleetwood still dreaming of emotional win as Sam Burns leads at Royal Birkdale

While most eyes were on DeChambeau at the start of the round, Burns was able to take the spotlight off his playmate with a great display of skill and control.

Burns shot a record-equalling 62 in Friday’s second round and picked up right where he left off with four birdies on the front nine.

A bogey on the ninth slowed his progress, but he made two more shots at 14 and 17 to take command.

Burns’ total of 127 shots (62, 65) in the second and third rounds are the lowest two-round total in men’s major championship history.

It will be another remarkable story for the two-time US Ryder Cup player to win his first major trophy.

Burns, who finished second at the US Open last month, wasn’t even planning to play at Birkdale because it clashed with the birth date of his second child.

The 29-year-old thought there was a “zero per cent chance” of him heading to Merseyside but when his second child, daughter Belle, arrived on July 3 – almost two weeks early – his wife Caroline persuaded him to play.

The joy of fatherhood has allowed Burns to play freely and he believes he has nothing to lose on Sunday.

“I’m going to have to go out and execute,” said Burns, who appears on Fox at 14:20 ET.

“I know I can accept the outcome and life will go on. I will go home and see my family.

“I hope I’m bringing some equipment with me, but if I don’t, that’s okay.”