![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/xNqEH2XQmB42RERMGCFMDF.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n2026-07-18T18:48:44.709Z<\/p>\n
BURNS COMPLETES ROUND OF 65<\/p>\n
Burns with a birdie putt from more than 30 feet at 18. Can he head back to the clubhouse leading by three? Not quite. The speed is good, but it trickles right. He’ll take a par for a lead of two.<\/p>\n
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(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:44:43.390Z<\/p>\n BURNS WELL SET<\/p>\n Is this Sam Burns’ time? He’s come close to winning a Major on several occasions, not least at Shinnecock Hills with the US Open.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He’s on the green with his second at 18. He should at least make par to head to the clubhouse with a two-shot lead,<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:39:19.441Z<\/p>\n KIM IN THE CLUBHOUSE<\/p>\n Si Woo Kim finishes for 67 to leave him two back of Burns.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At 16, Lucas Herbert stems the damage with a bogey. He falls three behind the leader.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:37:08.329Z<\/p>\n BRYSON BIRDIE<\/p>\n Here’s a look at Bryson DeChambeau’s birdie putt at 17 from a few minutes ago…<\/p>\n Another birdie from Bryson. pic.twitter.com\/nPcSIqah8UJuly 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:35:14.991Z<\/p>\n HERBERT IN TROUBLE<\/p>\n There are signs things may be unravelling a little for Lucas Herbert. Just a few minutes ago, he had the co-lead. Now, he’s two behind Sam Burns, and at 16 he leaves a 56-foot par putt…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:33:07.053Z<\/p>\n SI WOO IN THE MIX<\/p>\n Si Woo Kim is in the mix too, so much so that he has a chance of the clubhouse lead. At 18, he sends his second to within 19 feet for birdie.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:30:17.763Z<\/p>\n BURNS LEADS BY TWO!<\/p>\n Bryson DeChambeau refuses to lie down. He makes a birdie at 17 and now he’s on -7, just two back of leader Sam Burns – at least momentarily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Burns next to get to -10. And he holes it! A lead of two for Burns.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:28:15.496Z<\/p>\n BRILLIANT BURNS<\/p>\n Sam Burns is on the cusp of going two clear. At 17, a par-5, he sends his approach to within six feet…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:20:03.506Z<\/p>\n BURNS IN LEAD<\/p>\n Lucas Herbert has a problem at 15. He’s a good distance from the cup, and this is a par putt. It misses and that’s a bogey. Sam Burns has the solo lead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:17:13.136Z<\/p>\n BURNS COMES UP SHORT AT 16<\/p>\n From a similar distance to DeChambeau at 16, Sam Burns has a birdie putt for the solo lead, but that too doesn’t quite make it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:15:16.003Z<\/p>\n RAHM MAGIC<\/p>\n A moment of brilliance from a few minutes ago that helped Jon Rahm save par at 18…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How crucial could that be come tomorrow evening?<\/p>\n Magical bunker play from Jon Rahm to save par on 18.He’s at -4 heading into the final round. pic.twitter.com\/iDO9Ol4hhLJuly 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:13:26.111Z<\/p>\n BRYSON CLOSE<\/p>\n Bryson DeChambeau with an improbable birdie chance at 16. From all of 47 feet, it looks in all the way, but it’s not to be. It breaks right and he remains at -6.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:10:43.145Z<\/p>\n LIP-OUT<\/p>\n Herbert’s birdie chance now. He putts it delicately, as needed, and it looks good – until it just lips out and that’ll be a par.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:09:04.334Z<\/p>\n CHANCE FOR HERBERT<\/p>\n Lucas Herbert has a birdie chance at the par-5 14th. He gets out of the rough and onto the green with his third. It won’t be easy from the fringe of the green, but it’s a chance of the solo lead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:05:32.391Z<\/p>\n STATE OF PLAY…<\/p>\n We’re edging towards the close of play at Royal Birkdale and the two leaders are still out on the course. Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns remain on -9, with Herbert having couple more holes to play with. Behind them is Ryan Fox, who earlier shot 62. The likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Jackson Suber are lurking, too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T18:00:02.387Z<\/p>\n MISSED CHANCE FOR BURNS<\/p>\n After a great tee shot for Burns at the 15th, he narrowly misses his birdie attempt and settles for par.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He remains nine-under, with nearest challenger Herbert finding the fairway at the par 5 14th.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:58:15.674Z<\/p>\n FLEETWOOD FINISHES UP<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n Although he finishes par-bogey, Fleetwood cards a one-under 69 and is five-under for the championship going into the final round.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He’ll have a chance, as will Jon Rahm, who pars the final hole via an incredible up-and-down to sit four-under.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:55:53.824Z<\/p>\n BURNS JOINS THE LEAD<\/p>\n He’s one of the best putters on the PGA Tour and, at the 14th, Burns rams his birdie putt home from 15-feet to join Herbert at the top of the leaderboard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the par 3 15th, he then puts it to 15-feet again, leaving a great chance to take the outright lead.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:51:01.867Z<\/p>\n ANOTHER MISSED PUTT<\/p>\n He has not made a thing today, and Scheffler pars the 17th after missing a seven-footer for birdie.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sitting level-par for his round, the World No.1 is four-under for the championship.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:48:46.900Z<\/p>\n TROUBLE FOR BRYSON<\/p>\n DeChambeau finds the bunker at the par 5 14th with his second shot, but it’s right up against the lip and leaves a horrible lie.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Forced to play from a horrible stance, he does well to get it over the green, but leaves a tough up-and-down for par.<\/p>\n With his chip, the American puts it to three-feet and will, likely, not drop a shot to remain five-under.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:44:30.055Z<\/p>\n UNREAL SHOT FROM WALLACE<\/p>\n That’s so good from Matt Wallace at the par 3 15th, with the Englishman sticking it to three-feet, with it very nearly dropping in for a hole-in-one.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It’s the best shot we’ve seen all day at the hole, with Wallace likely moving to four-under because of it.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:41:01.409Z<\/p>\n BIRDIE FOR SUBER<\/p>\n Three birdies on the day for Jackson Suber.He’s up to -8 for the Championship and just one off the lead. pic.twitter.com\/PbS2yutCT3July 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:36:28.993Z<\/p>\n EXCELLENT WORK FROM ABERG<\/p>\n A superb up-and-down at the final hole means Aberg fires a three-under 67 and leaves himself six-under for the championship.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He finished T23rd at The Open last year and is on-course for a great result this week.<\/p>\n Alongside Aberg is Shane Lowry, who fires a one-under 69 and is four-under for the championship.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:33:10.686Z<\/p>\n OH SCOTTIE…<\/p>\n His putter has been poor today and, at the par 4 16th, Scheffler misses a par putt from inside four-foot.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The World No.1 is frustrated, and he drops back to four-under-par, five back of leader Herbert.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:30:34.110Z<\/p>\n SUPER SWEDE<\/p>\n Ludvig \u00c5berg is creeping into contention.He’s -3 for his third round after this latest birdie on the 17th. pic.twitter.com\/ovKN0Zwq4AJuly 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:23:59.795Z<\/p>\n SUBER BIRDIES THE 1TH<\/p>\n An excellent approach at the 11th is followed up by a great birdie putt that moves Suber to eight-under.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He is just one back of Herbert, who pars the same hole after a solid two-putt.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:22:11.040Z<\/p>\n YOUNG DROPS ANOTHER SHOT<\/p>\n Young plays a great chip at the par 3 12th, but his par putt from seven-feet slides by and it’s back-to-back bogeys for the American.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:19:13.249Z<\/p>\n HOW LUCKY FOR THE LEADER?!<\/p>\n Herbert slices his tee shot well right at the 11th but, somehow, it lands on the bank of the hazard and misses it by mere inches.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Faced with a good lie, the Australian then fires his approach over the flag and leaves himself 15-feet for a birdie…<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:17:20.584Z<\/p>\n ABERG ON A CHARGE<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n Firing a one-under 33 on the front nine, Aberg has birdied the 13th and 17th to move to six-under and three back of Herbert.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Making a charge, it’s quite the opposite for Cameron Young, who bogeys the 11th and falls back to the same score of Aberg’s.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:13:08.235Z<\/p>\n GREAT SAVE<\/p>\n Excellent work from DeChambeau, who makes an excellent par save at the par 3 12th.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finding the bunker short with his tee shot, he splashes out to 12-foot, with his putt never looking anywhere else, as he converts to remain five-under.<\/p>\n What’s more, at the next hole, he skirts the bunker and leaves himself a good looking approach to the green at the 13th.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:10:39.073Z<\/p>\n SAFE PAR FOR THE LEADER<\/p>\n Herbert hits a great putt from 25-feet at the 10th, but it puts the brakes on and comes up inches short.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A simple par keeps him nine-under, one clear of Fox and Burns.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:08:21.657Z<\/p>\n DROPPED SHOT FOR TOMMY<\/p>\n Fleetwood goes right of the green at the par 3 15th and, despite a good chip, he can’t convert the par putt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He drops to six-under, three back of Herbert, who finds the middle of the green at the par 4 10th.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T17:06:42.784Z<\/p>\n BIG SAVE FOR SCOTTIE<\/p>\n Scheffler finds the same bunker as Fleetwood at the 14th, with his bunker shot running eight-feet by.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His putting hasn’t been great today, but his par attempt slides in the center of the cup and it’s a good save for Scheffler, who remains five-under.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:59:56.867Z<\/p>\n HERBERT LEADS<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n A birdie for Herbert at the ninth moves him to nine-under, with the Australian moving into the solo lead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:54:39.231Z<\/p>\n EXCELLENT FROM HERBERT<\/p>\n He goes for the green at the par 4 ninth and, just coming up short, Herbert then plays a delightful putt from off the green that comes to rest inches from the hole.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When he rolls that putt in he will jump to nine-under and into the solo lead.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:48:10.828Z<\/p>\n BUNKER FOUND FOR TOMMY<\/p>\n His swing looked glorious, but a gust of wind brings Fleetwood’s approach to the 14th short and into the bunker.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It won’t be a tough up-and-down, but it’s still a slight mistake from the home-hero, who is going along nicely right now.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:45:13.053Z<\/p>\n YOUNG GOES OUT IN 33<\/p>\n A solid one-under 33 for Young means he remains seven-under on Saturday.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He is one back of Fox, Burns and Herbert, with the scoreable back nine coming up for The Players Championship winner.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:41:08.026Z<\/p>\n KIM JOINS THE LEADERS<\/p>\n Si Woo Kim has a share of the lead. Moving day is heating up at Royal Birkdale. pic.twitter.com\/5p7Ou1W0fLJuly 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:39:40.714Z<\/p>\n SAVE FROM SUBER<\/p>\n He dropped a shot at the seventh and, at the eighth, Suber leaves himself an eight-footer for par.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He doesn’t want to make back-to-back bogeys and, thankfully, he doesn’t with the American rolling in a good putt to remain at seven-under.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:37:40.388Z<\/p>\n RORY REACTS<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n “I played okay for the most part. It was a little scrappy in areas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I feel like I could have probably shot 67 or 66. I think if I’m three back of Foxy going into tomorrow, I feel like I have a legitimate chance.<\/p>\n “I’m three back of that. I probably feel like I’m a little too far behind.”<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:33:17.635Z<\/p>\n BIG CHANCE MISSED FOR BRYSON<\/p>\n After nearly driving the green at the ninth, DeChambeau plays a good chip but misses his birdie putt by a considerable margin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That’s a big miss for the American, who remains five-under after his front nine.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:29:39.553Z<\/p>\n BURNS BOGEY<\/p>\n The leader falls back after missing the green long on the 9th. He three-putts and cards his first bogey of the day. we now have a four-way tie at the top.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:29:09.622Z<\/p>\n NEERGAARD-PETERSEN IN WITH A 67<\/p>\n The Dane bogeys the 18th to shoot a three-under-par 67 and get inb the house at five-under.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just as I write that, Si Woo Kim pours in a long putt on the 10th to move up to eight-under!<\/p>\n For those tuning in earlier, I did tell you to keep an eye on Kim.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:26:54.785Z<\/p>\n DECHAMBEAU SET FOR BIRDIE AT 9<\/p>\n Bryson unleashes a drive on the 9th that almost finds the putting surface, and he hits a delicate chip to within 5ft. He should make that and get to six-under, which would put him three back of Burns.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:24:44.082Z<\/p>\n HERBERT BACK TO 8<\/p>\n Lucas Herbert birdies the par 3 7th after a beautiful wedge to within around 8ft. He is back to eight-under, where he began the day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:22:57.667Z<\/p>\n GREAT BREAK FOR FLEETWOOD<\/p>\n Fleetwood pulls a 6-iron into the 13th that narrowly avoids the front-left bunker and actually kicks forward and right towards the pin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He never seems to get the breaks in Majors but that was certainly a good one.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:17:57.878Z<\/p>\n SAM BURNS TAKES THE LEAD<\/p>\n Sam Burns loves being in the hunt in Majors!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The US Open runner-up moves to the top of the board after his fourth birdie of the day on the 8th. He’s now nine-under and leading by one.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:11:59.649Z<\/p>\n FLEETWOOD’S BIRDIE ON 11:<\/p>\n Three birdies for Fleetwood on moving day, thanks to this latest approach shot.He’s one off the lead. pic.twitter.com\/etcxTC8lsoJuly 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:11:03.990Z<\/p>\n EAGLE FOR RASMUS NEERGAARD PETERSEN<\/p>\n The Dane has just eagled the 17th to jump up to 8th position and is now just two back of the lead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This really is anyone’s Claret Jug.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T16:05:27.458Z<\/p>\n FLEETWOOD BIRDIES 11<\/p>\n The Englishman makes 3 on the 11th and he is within one of the lead. Fantastic stuff.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:58:59.486Z<\/p>\n TOMMY IN TIGHT AT 11!<\/p>\n Fleetwood flights in a gorgeous short-iron into the front-left pin on 11 that settles within 4ft.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That will surely be a birdie to take him up to seven-under-par.<\/p>\n He has been excellent today.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:57:40.032Z<\/p>\n SUBER JOINS THE LEAD<\/p>\n The American just birdied the drivable par 4 5th after getting up-and-down from just to the right of the green.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:52:13.103Z<\/p>\n SI WOO KIM UP TO T2ND<\/p>\n The Korean makes a birdie after a lovely wedge into the front-left pin and holes from around 8ft for a birdie 2.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He joins the tie for 2nd.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:50:59.278Z<\/p>\n HUGE BIRDIE PUTT FROM BRYSON!<\/p>\n Wow, DeChambeau holes a 30-footer on the long par 4 6th hole that had a good 3ft of left-to-right break on it. He moves back to five-under.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:45:53.363Z<\/p>\n CAM YOUNG TO SEVEN-UNDER<\/p>\n The World No.4 birdies the drivable par 4 5th hole after a spectacular flop shot over a bunker from the tight links turf. It ended within 6ft and he holes to move up into a five-way tie for T2nd.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That was special.<\/p>\n Cameron Young with a delicate touch from off the green on the 5th to set up a birdie and get to -7.He’s now one off the lead. pic.twitter.com\/OgM3F7cJzPJuly 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:39:10.236Z<\/p>\n GOOD SAVE FOR HERBERT ON 4<\/p>\n The Aussie hit a shocker off the 4th tee to miss the par 3 green by some 20 yards but he played a beautiful chip up the bank and holed from 8ft.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That should settle him down.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:34:52.829Z<\/p>\n THE PERFECT START FOR FLEETWOOD<\/p>\n He couldn’t, could he?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tommy Fleetwood makes a stress-free par on the 9th to turn in two-under for the day. He is six-under for the tournament and well, well in this golf tournament.<\/p>\n In contrast, his playing partner Jon Rahm is three back of him now after they both began at -4, but it could have been worse as the Spaniard holes a fantastic putt from around 20ft to save his par.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:32:03.173Z<\/p>\n MCILROY SHOOTS 69<\/p>\n Rory McIlroy makes a sandy par on the 18th to post a one-under-par 69, courtesy of a good 15-20ft putt. Not his finest work today but he is two-under with 18 to play.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is raining 62s at Birkdale this week and I feel he may need one of his own if he wants to take the Claret Jug home with him.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:30:30.360Z<\/p>\n NOT HAPPENING FOR RAHM TODAY<\/p>\n The Spaniard misses the green to the right on the 9th and he will have his work cut out to save par.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He began the day at four-under and is one-over for his front nine so far after hitting his opening tee shot out of bounds. Not good enough for a man of his stature…he really needs to get this up-and-down.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:28:30.839Z<\/p>\n HERBERT BOGEY<\/p>\n The Australian caught a flier into the 3rd hole and his chip was average at best, leaving him around 12ft to save his par. It missed to the right and he bogeys to fall back into a tie for 2nd.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ryan Fox is now your solo-leader.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:27:05.105Z<\/p>\n DON’T RULE OUT SI WOO KIM<\/p>\n I’ve been monitoring Si Woo Kim all season as he’s been one of the best players in the world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Korean, who won at TPC Sawgrass at the age of 21, is 5th in Strokes Gained: Total on the PGA Tour, 4th Tee to green and 3rd in Approach.<\/p>\n He is 6th in Scoring Average, 2nd in Birdie Average and has the lowest round on Tour this year with a 60.<\/p>\n Here at Birkdale he is six-under-par and just two back of the lead.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:22:14.400Z<\/p>\n SAM BURNS UP TO T3RD<\/p>\n Burns rolls in a left-to-righter on the par 3 4th to get to seven-under-par and within one of the lead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It’s a very good par-birdie-par-birdie start for the US Open runner-up.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:21:04.391Z<\/p>\n SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER IS LURKING<\/p>\n The World No.1 has quietly gone about his business today, making one birdie and six pars from his first seven holes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It means he is five-under for the tournament and just three off the lead. Is he tournament favorite?<\/p>\n I have just checked, and yes he is. He (-5) and Fleetwood (-6) are tied at 6\/1 at the top of the odds.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:19:06.250Z<\/p>\n MCILROY BIRDIES 17<\/p>\n Rory McIlroy makes his second par 5 birdie of the week on the 17th and he is two-under-par now.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If he can find a birdie at the 18th he will feel like he still has a chance tomorrow.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:14:56.808Z<\/p>\n SUBER UP TO 2ND<\/p>\n Day one leader Jackson Suber finds a birdie at the 2nd to move up to seven-under-par and one behind his final group playing partner.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:10:16.793Z<\/p>\n GOOD PAR AT THE 1ST FOR HERBERT<\/p>\n Lucas Herbert, holding a 36-hole lead in a Major for the first time, gets off to a solid start.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Australian was up the right of the 1st and managed to skirt the front-right bunker with his approach and two-putted. That should ease the nerves.<\/p>\n On the 2nd, he splits the fairway and wedges it to pin-high and about 25ft right.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T15:04:02.691Z<\/p>\n BIG BIRDIE FROM TOMMY FLEETWOOD<\/p>\n Elliott Heath checking in here, and we’ve just witnessed a huge putt from Tommy Fleetwood on the 7th to move to six-under-par. The crowd go wild!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Come on Tommy Lad.<\/p>\n Fleetwood climbing up the leaderboard.This birdie putt on the 7th gets him to -6 for the Championship and up to T3. pic.twitter.com\/WnXOx0nYPbJuly 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:58:11.889Z<\/p>\n DECHAMBEAU BOGEY<\/p>\n After a great recovery by DeChambeau from the back of the second, he misses a nasty little five-footer. The ball lipped out and DeChambeau walks away frustrated. Tough scene for the American.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:56:03.992Z<\/p>\n MISSED ON THE PRO SIDE<\/p>\n Fleetwood makes a positive swing with his putter at the sixth but it just doesn’t turn as much as he and Ian Finnis had expected. That’ll be a par.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:54:39.504Z<\/p>\n MISTAKES<\/p>\n Robert MacIntyre drops a shot at the par-3 fourth hole after missing a close putt. Meanwhile, DeChambeau looks to have gone way too long at the second and will face a similar shot to the one Scheffler poked out of the rough from earlier.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:53:23.258Z<\/p>\n FINAL GROUP UNDERWAY<\/p>\n That’s not an ideal tee shot from Herbert. His drive sailed out to the right rough and looks buried in some fescue grass. Jackson Suber’s opening shot was solid enough, though, and he’ll have a much better chance of advancing it to the green.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:51:44.922Z<\/p>\n ANOTHER BIRDIE?<\/p>\n Fleetwood clips a beautiful approach into 17 feet from 229 yards at the sixth. That looks an appealing birdie attempt, I must say. Rahm found the back of the green in two and appears likely to walk away with a par after nudging it close from 60 feet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:49:27.945Z<\/p>\n SCHEFFLER BIRDIE<\/p>\n Hooray for Scottie, he’s finally found a birdie. I’m being facetious, obviously, but he will be relieved to see one finally land. At the drivable par-4 fifth, Scheffler went for the green, chipped up to six feet and then posted the birdie. The World No.1 is up to five-under and moving in the right direction.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:47:24.912Z<\/p>\n FINAL GROUP HAS ARRIVED<\/p>\n Here comes Lucas Herbert. Can he back up that excellent round yesterday? We’re about to find out…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:44:46.764Z<\/p>\n BEWARE THE INJURED GOLFER<\/p>\n Si Woo Kim appears to be limping slightly on his left side. Not sure what’s happened there. It doesn’t seem to be affecting him too badly, though, as he rolls in a birdie at the second to reach six-under.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I say it’s not affecting him, but the South Korean’s tee shot at the third was almost certainly affected by the pain. He lost it out to the right as he was stuck on the back foot.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:43:45.228Z<\/p>\n BIRDIE BOYS<\/p>\n Tommy Fleetwood pours in his birdie at the fifth, much to the delight of the home crowd. Rahm does likewise to return to four-under for the championship.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elsewhere, Thomas Detry makes a red number at the fifth to join Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Hideki Matsuyama, DeChambeau, Burns and Fleetwood on five-under.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:39:11.968Z<\/p>\n CAN BURNS BACK IT UP?<\/p>\n What a stat from the TV broadcast. After Sam Burns’ past seven Major rounds in the 60s, he’s followed each of them up with a round in the 70s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Burns is on board at the first, though, as is DeChambeau. Two mid-range tries for birdie coming up.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:37:01.291Z<\/p>\n FLEETWOOD IN CLOSE<\/p>\n A superb approach from Fleetwood at the fifth gives him a six-footer for birdie. The crowd loved that one. Meanwhile, Rahm drove the green and has a long one left for eagle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was very close from Rahm, but it just lipped out and stopped four or five feet past. Two birdies here would be very well received from those following.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:35:26.134Z<\/p>\n GOING NOWHERE<\/p>\n McIlroy’s birdie attempt at the par-5 14th misses and it’ll be a par. There are a couple more good chances left for a gain or two, but the six-time Major winner needs to make something happen quickly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:33:50.014Z<\/p>\n DECHAMBEAU INTO THE ROUGH<\/p>\n Just before Sam Burns teed off, DeChambeau’s tee shot drifted left into the rough. It’s not too long where he’ll be, the grass, but the two-time US Open winner will be in close proximity to some of those fans who might be keen to remind him of his transgression just hours ago…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:29:19.412Z<\/p>\n DECHAMBEAU ON THE TEE<\/p>\n The man everyone has been talking about since yesterday afternoon is back on the golf course. Bryson DeChambeau is given a rousing reception has he walks to the first tee, with a couple of sharp comments thrown in as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nothing nasty, I should add. But I’d say DeChambeau might become familiar with the famous British sense of humor by the time he’s done today.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:27:38.000Z<\/p>\n DIRTY LIP OUT<\/p>\n I don’t know what Scottie Scheffler has done in a former life, but it’s coming back to haunt him this week. He hits another good putt at the par-4 third but it lips out from left to right. He doesn’t seem to have holed anything of note this week.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:26:10.997Z<\/p>\n DELIGHTFUL BUNKER SHOTS<\/p>\n Fleetwood produces soft hands to flick his ball up and over the bunker lip before watching it land softly some four feet below the hole.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elsewhere, McIlroy has a chance for a birdie at the par-5 14th after escaping a fairway bunker with aplomb.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:24:15.488Z<\/p>\n TROUBLE FOR TOMMY<\/p>\n Fleetwood has put himself in a tough position on the par-3 fourth hole off the tee. He’s in the front bunker and that’s short-sided, too. Par will certainly be a good result now.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:11:47.683Z<\/p>\n WHAT A RECOVERY<\/p>\n Scheffler played an uncharacteristically poor approach into the second which landed in the thick stuff behind the green. However, his recovery was nothing short of ridiculous.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It must have been a decent lie because he nudged it out of the rubbish and left the ball a matter of inches away. Not bad.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:09:24.983Z<\/p>\n DART FROM FITZPATRICK<\/p>\n He asks for it to go, pretty desperately in fact. The ball listens and it lands some 15 feet away. A birdie chance for Alex Fitzpatrick at the first.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:08:38.389Z<\/p>\n GOOD SWITCH<\/p>\n MacIntyre finds the right rough down the first and makes a last-minute decision to switch up a club with 141 yards to go. It’s a great decision as the ball ends low and left on the putting surface.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:04:46.962Z<\/p>\n MCILROY ESCAPES<\/p>\n It doesn’t look like McIlroy is going to make the kind of inroads he’d have been looking for when teeing off earlier today. He remains at two-under thanks to a six or seven-foot par save at number 13.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:03:33.675Z<\/p>\n FUTURE RYDER CUP PAIRING<\/p>\n If Alex Fitzpatrick carries on playing like this, he may well be at Adare Manor next year. Robert MacIntyre, barring a loss of form, will almost certainly be there. They’ve just teed off at the first.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T14:01:40.551Z<\/p>\n ONE BACK<\/p>\n It wasn’t picture-perfect, but Rahm doesn’t care as he rolls in the five-footer at hole number two. Rahm is now back to three-under while Fleetwood remains at four-under.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:59:54.863Z<\/p>\n CLOSE SHAVE<\/p>\n Fleetwood’s approach into the second was a little disappointing given the circumstances, but he almost makes amends from 40 feet. His birdie try just shaves the right edge of the hole, leading to hearty groans from the crowd rather than cheers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:58:56.915Z<\/p>\n GOOD LUCK<\/p>\n Rahm plays his second from a walkway down the left. The flag is tight on the left side, so that’s not ideal. But thanks to a lovely little kick off the left shoulder of the green, he’s down hole-side and should be about to take a shot back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:57:19.392Z<\/p>\n SCHEFFLER UNDERWAY<\/p>\n It’s a solid start for Scheffler despite a second shot that comes up well short from the right rough. A great chip has left the Champion Golfer of the Year with what should be a nice three-footer for his four.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:54:20.156Z<\/p>\n RAHM SPRAYING IT EARLY ON<\/p>\n His first tee shot was way right but Rahm’s second goes left. To be fair, Rahm set up for a cut and it just didn’t come back with the wind pushing it left. But still, that’s two fairways missed to start.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fleetwood, on the other hand, is set up nicely in the fairway following a kind members’ bounce off the first cut bank. He only has 149 yards to go now.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:50:56.250Z<\/p>\n RAHM DOUBLE<\/p>\n The Spaniard sends his fourth shot out to 25 feet and will have a decent chance for bogey. But he doesn’t make it and that’s an immediate double. Fleetwood, on the other hand, shoves his birdie putt just past, but that’ll be a solid par start for the home favorite.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:39:14.484Z<\/p>\n RAHM OB<\/p>\n Oh dear, that is not the start you want. Not at all. Rahm will have to reload on the first after his first tee shot slices right into the trees.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His second is much better, though, and he follows Fleetwood into the first cut on the right.<\/p>\n It should be said, Justin Thomas did that yesterday and still went on to shoot 67. Rahm will have to putt much better today, though. He’s second-last in terms of putting through the first 36 holes…<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:37:04.395Z<\/p>\n FLEETWOOD AND RAHM ABOUT TO BEGIN<\/p>\n What a welcome to the tee for two of Team Europe’s Ryder Cup heroes – Fleetwood and Rahm. The reception for Fleetwood is immense.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:31:08.942Z<\/p>\n RECORD MATCHED (AGAIN)<\/p>\n The third 62 of the week and the seventh of all time in a men’s Major comes from the sticks of Ryan Fox. He confidently rolls his par putt home and has now set the clubhouse lead on eight-under.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will he remain there heading into Sunday? Unlikely, but he’s got a chance of lifting the Claret Jug tomorrow, you’d have thought.<\/p>\n A third record-equalling 62 at The 154th Open.Ryan Fox writes his name in history. pic.twitter.com\/PQ05HSdmNRJuly 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:29:25.551Z<\/p>\n WELL SHORT<\/p>\n Oh, Ryan Fox, what was that?! The Kiwi leaves his attempt at 61 about five feet short from 40 feet or more. He’s putted so well today, but that was a swing full of tension.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:27:03.440Z<\/p>\n MIRACLE SHOT FROM FOX<\/p>\n The commentary team felt Fox had no chance of reaching the green from that right bunker. He said “I’ll show you!”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fox thumped his ball from an uphill lie and it just about flicked the top of the lip before landing on the front-right portion of the putting surface. Miraculously, he has a chance of shooting 61. Fox pinches his fingers together. He knows how close that was.<\/p>\n And the reception he is receiving on his approach to the 18th is superb, even with the stands only 20% full.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:24:39.389Z<\/p>\n WHEN PLAYING SAFE GOES WRONG<\/p>\n After a par at the 10th, McIlroy takes iron off the tee on 11 in a bid to miss the cluster of bunkers waiting to gobble up golf balls. He misses them, but over-draws the ball into the left rough. Also not ideal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:21:08.811Z<\/p>\n TROUBLE OFF THE TEE<\/p>\n The Kiwi takes driver off the tee down 18 – you have to really – but it cuts too far and ends up in the right fairway bunker. Fox might be able to advance it far enough to retain his hopes of a par, though, as his ball is quite far away from the revetted wall<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:19:52.580Z<\/p>\n FOX FINDS IT<\/p>\n And there goes the birdie for Fox! He needs a birdie at the last to shoot a 61 or a par to match the joint-lowest 18-hole score at a men’s Major. Has that happened before this week?…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:11:05.104Z<\/p>\n FOX WITH A GOOD LOOK AT BIRDIE ON 17<\/p>\n Fox hits a gorgeous pitch from short-right of the 17th and will have a fantastic look to reach eight-under-par for the round.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hole that, par the last and we have our third 62 of the week. Not sure The R&A will enjoy seeing that…<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:09:48.658Z<\/p>\n RORY MCILROY CHIP-IN EAGLE!<\/p>\n A huge roar as Rory McIlroy chips in for eagle at the 9th! That is exactly what he needed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He is now two-under for the championship and in position to make a charge.<\/p>\n It’s ridiculous. It’s Rory.A chip-in eagle for McIlroy on the 9th moves him to -2 for the Championship. pic.twitter.com\/WW23Gm97Y9July 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-07-18T13:04:38.312Z<\/p>\n JORDAN SMITH EAGLE 2!<\/p>\n The Englishman has just made a two at the par 4 5th hole to jump up to four-under-par for the tournament, which is currently T10th.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sungjae Im and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen are also two-under for the day to move into that tie for tenth.<\/p>\n Lots of players have made fast starts today.<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T12:59:00.189Z<\/p>\n FOX TO -7!<\/p>\n He rolls in his short birdie putt perfectly in the center of the cup on 16 and the Kiwi is seven-under for the day and championship.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He has a par 5 next… Could we see another 62?<\/p>\n One off the lead. Ryan Fox continues his surge up the leaderboard. This latest birdie on 16 moves him to -7. pic.twitter.com\/Bjx9a8MmaIJuly 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-07-18T12:55:42.773Z<\/p>\n RYAN FOX’S MAJOR RECORD<\/p>\n From 28 Major starts, Fox has never had a top-10 but he has plenty of experience and solid results.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His best finish came at the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush, where he was T16th, while he also made ten consecutive Major cuts from 2023-2025.<\/p>\n He’s a BMW PGA Championship winner and a very experienced player now, so perhaps this could be his week to put in a real challenge?<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T12:39:07.065Z<\/p>\n LIV GOLFERS HAVING A GOOD WEEK<\/p>\n There’s a big LIV presence on the leaderboard here with Herbert 1st, DeChambeau T6th and Rahm and Detry in T9th.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-07-18T12:38:01.125Z<\/p>\n BALLESTER SHOOTS 66<\/p>\n The LIV Golf star finished eagle-birdie yesterday to make the cut and he has gone out and shot four-under today to sit at -3 for the tournament.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From heading home early to now sitting inside the top-20. Very nice!<\/p>\n 2026-07-18T12:33:34.928Z<\/p>\n RYAN FOX ON THE CHARGE<\/p>\n The big-hitting New Zealander is six-under-par thru 15 today and has moved to within just two of the lead.<\/p>\n![\"Tommy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/XwVaPhgZYT63wwyYnmYPk7.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Ludvig](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fXWNHSAwGJ6y9yLB265uQE.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Lucas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GfmozTQqAMd7woLiz996YZ.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Rory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/pAPfJmC9EtTFvRt5LkXgih.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n