Sam Burns to Skip Open Championship for Birth of Second Child

There are moments in sport that remind us these athletes are more than swing mechanics and leaderboard positions. Sam Burns delivered one of those moments this week, stepping away from what would have been a triumphant march to Royal Birkdale to be present for something far more significant—the birth of his second child.

From Shinnecock Heartbreak to Home

Just days ago, Burns stood on the 18th green at Shinnecock Hills, having posted a final-round 67—the second-lowest score of the day—and briefly dared us to dream of a playoff. The birdie chances at 17 and 18 slipped away, leaving him as runner-up in the U.S. Open, the finest major finish across his 25 championship appearances.

The $2.43 million check was substantial. The validation even more so. At 29, Burns had announced himself as a genuine major contender, building on his tied-seventh at Augusta in April. The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, scheduled for July 16–19, seemed like the perfect stage for a player riding this wave of form.

But that's not where his story goes next.

A Mother's Confirmation

Burns' mother, Beth, confirmed to The Athletic after Sunday's final round what many suspected: her son would not be traveling to England.

"He won't go to Europe. They're going to go home and have a baby," she said.

The timing makes the decision almost unavoidable. Caroline Burns was 37 weeks pregnant when the family departed Shinnecock Hills on Sunday evening. The baby is due in mid-July—landing squarely during Open week. For a player who has competed in the last five Open Championships, with a best finish of tied-31st at Royal Troon in 2024, this represents a significant sacrifice in purely competitive terms.

As of June 21, the R&A's exemptions page still listed Burns as qualified under two separate categories. No formal withdrawal has been announced, but the writing is clearly on the wall.

"Family Is a Lot More Important Than Golf"

What struck me most about Burns' post-round comments at Shinnecock wasn't the analysis of missed putts or what-ifs. It was the way he spoke about his young son.

"I just wanted to hang out with him," Burns said. "I've been gone all day, basically every day this week. They're actually going back home tonight. My wife's 37 weeks now, so they're going to go back home. I know I'm not going to get to see him for a week, which will be terrible. So I just tried to get a few more extra minutes in."

Here was a man who had just produced the round of his major championship life, and his thoughts were on stolen moments with his toddler before a week apart. When asked about the eternal balancing act between tour life and fatherhood, Burns offered a simple truth:

"Family is a lot more important than golf."

What Royal Birkdale Will Miss

The Open loses a player in genuine form—a five-time PGA Tour winner from Shreveport, Louisiana, who had just proven he belongs on major championship Sundays. Burns' game travels well: the controlled ball flight, the patience under pressure, the putting touch that nearly forced history at Shinnecock. Links golf would have suited him.

But Royal Birkdale will be there again. The Claret Jug will be contested in perpetuity. The birth of a child happens exactly once, in exactly one moment, and Sam Burns has chosen to be present for it.

The Takeaway

Professional golf asks everything of its players—weeks on the road, red-eye flights, the relentless grind of maintaining elite performance. Burns' decision to skip Royal Birkdale reminds us that the best players understand what matters beyond the ropes. He'll return to major championship golf with a clear conscience and a growing family. Sometimes the most significant victories happen far from the leaderboard.