Sam Burns has made a surprise decision to compete at the 154th Open Championship, despite widespread expectations that he would skip the year’s final major as he and his wife prepare to welcome their second child.
Following his runner-up finish at last month’s U.S. Open, many believed Burns would remain in the United States after his mother, Beth Burns, revealed that the five-time PGA Tour winner planned to stay home for the birth of his baby.
“He won’t go to Europe,” Beth Burns told The Athletic. “This is his last major. They’re going to go home and have a baby.”
Burns himself kept his plans private after the U.S. Open, confirming only that his wife Caroline was 37 weeks pregnant. He went on to compete at the Travelers Championship, where he finished tied for 12th, before skipping the Genesis Scottish Open, further fueling speculation that he would miss Royal Birkdale.
Instead, the world No. 18 surprised fans by arriving at Royal Birkdale earlier this week and taking part in a practice round, confirming he will tee it up in the final major championship of the season.
The decision means Burns will make his sixth appearance at The Open as he continues his search for a maiden major title.
The 29-year-old heads into the championship in impressive form despite not winning since the 2023 WGC Match Play. He has recorded four consecutive top-20 finishes, including a heartbreaking runner-up finish at the U.S. Open, where he finished just one shot behind champion Wyndham Clark.
Burns has also produced top-10 finishes this season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, The Masters, and the Memorial Tournament, placing himself among the most consistent players on the PGA Tour.
Although his Open Championship record has been modest—his best finish being a tie for 31st at Royal Troon in 2024—Burns will be hoping his recent form translates into a breakthrough performance at Royal Birkdale.
He is scheduled to begin his opening round on Thursday at 2:31 p.m. local time, playing alongside Adam Scott and Chris Gotterup.
With his family still awaiting the arrival of their second child, Burns’ decision to travel to England comes as one of the biggest surprises ahead of this year’s Open Championship.
