Royal Birkdale's Final Act: How to Watch Burns Chase History Sunday
The Stage Is Set on England's Lancashire Coast
There's something almost theatrical about a final round at Royal Birkdale. The dunes rise and fall like the breath of anticipation, and on Sunday morning, American Sam Burns will walk those fairways with the weight of history pressing against his shoulders.
Burns enters the final round at 10 under par, holding a two-shot advantage over the field after consecutive rounds of 62 and 65. For those of us who've walked Birkdale's corridors of willow scrub and sand, we know this course has a way of testing even the steadiest hands when the Claret Jug is within reach.
Where and When to Watch
For American viewers eager to witness whether Burns can claim his first major championship, coverage begins in the pre-dawn hours:
- USA Network: 4:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. ET
- NBC: 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
- Peacock: Featured group coverage throughout the day, plus NBC simulcast
- Golf Channel Mobile: USA Network coverage streaming
Yes, it means setting that alarm painfully early, but there's magic in watching links golf as the English morning light stretches across those ancient grounds.
The Chasers Lurking in the Dunes
Two shots is both everything and nothing at Royal Birkdale. Si Woo Kim and Ryan Fox share second place at eight under, with Fox having fired a scorching 62 on Saturday to announce his intentions.
Then there's Bryson DeChambeau, sitting four shots back at six under after a controversial Friday that saw him penalized two strokes—a decision he disputed with characteristic intensity. The fire in DeChambeau's belly could make him dangerous on Sunday.
The galleries will be pulling hardest for Tommy Fleetwood, the Southport native playing essentially in his backyard at five under. And we cannot discount defending champion Scottie Scheffler, lurking at four under with the experience of knowing exactly what it takes to lift that old trophy.
What Makes Birkdale Different
Having walked Royal Birkdale myself during championship conditions, I can tell you this course demands more than power. The rumpled fairways funnel and redirect, the greens hold secrets, and when the wind decides to participate—as it often does on the Lancashire coast—every shot becomes a conversation between player and elements.
Burns has shown remarkable composure through three rounds, but Sunday at an Open Championship venue is its own beast entirely. The pressure doesn't just exist; it becomes almost tangible, like another competitor walking alongside you.
The American Storyline
Sam Burns, a five-time PGA Tour winner and Ryder Cup member, has all the credentials except that one line on his resume: major champion. Royal Birkdale has crowned some of the game's finest—Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Johnny Miller—and Burns now has eighteen holes to write his name among them.
Key Takeaways
- Coverage begins at 4:00 a.m. ET on USA Network, transitioning to NBC at 7:00 a.m.
- Sam Burns leads at 10 under, two shots clear of Kim and Fox
- Peacock offers featured group streaming throughout the final round
- DeChambeau, Fleetwood, and defending champion Scheffler remain within striking distance
Set your coffee maker, silence your phone, and settle in. Royal Birkdale is about to deliver its verdict.