'An inspiring player and friend'

Sam Burns has had one of the best seats in the house to watch Scottie Scheffler’s ascent to greatness.

Now, he wants to emulate his best friend and lift the Claret Jug.

Burns surged into a two-shot lead at The 154th Open with an excellent 65 that had all the hallmarks of the man he hopes to succeed as the reigning Champion Golfer of the Year.

The 29-year-old was on point from the 1st tee box to the 18th green, with six birdies holed in a thrilling round of excellent distance judgement and ball control.

He will tee off with Ryan Fox at 2:20pm, while Si Woo Kim is the second man at eight-under-par and Ryan Gerard and Lucas Herbert are a shot further back.

Burns will know a threat could emerge from anywhere, but he will be especially aware of Scheffler.

The four-time major winner is T11 on four-under-par – six strokes behind – after a frustrating level-par round of 70.

The pair go way back. They played junior golf together, room together on the road and Burns was even Scheffler’s best man at his wedding four years ago.

But while Scheffler’s career has been a fairy tale, with 23 titles in four years, Burns’ has been one of gradual progress.

He won five times on the PGA TOUR between 2021 and 2023 and has been tipped as a major-winner in waiting, but his record before this season has been a source of irritation.

Burns was in the penultimate group on the final day of The 152nd Open but shot a final-round 80 and faded from view. He has been getting closer ever since.

He finished T7 at last year’s US Open, matched that at the Masters in April, and then came close to winning last month’s US Open, missing out by just a shot.

With practice comes experience, but Burns insists he is also a better player. Watching Scheffler helps.

“I felt like I played a bit too aggressive at times, and I think at some of these golf courses where you're penalised a little bit more than a typical Tour golf course we play, I think I hadn't quite learned that the hard way yet," he said.

"It took a bit longer for me. It helped that I got to play a lot of golf with the best player on the planet and watch what he does.

“He's far and beyond the best person that does that. He just makes so few mistakes, and he doesn't take on unnecessary risks very often, if ever, and seems to always hit the correct shot in the moment.

“It wasn't like I asked him about it or we talked a lot about it. It was just me observing. I think that had a pretty large impact on me the last couple years in the majors and just kind of watching how he prepares and the way he goes about it.”

Scheffler might have been irritated by his round but he was delighted for his friend.

However, it won’t stop him trying with all of his might to beat him on Sunday.

“He's someone I spend so much time around. I know how good he is. Sometimes you just need to continue to build that experience and put yourself in the positions,” the world No.1 said.

“He was close at the US Open last year. He was close again at the US Open this year.

“He's played a lot of really good golf in a lot of the biggest tournaments. It's really difficult to win out here a bunch of times.

“Sam's a guy that's been knocking on the door a few times this year and hasn't been able to get it done.

“But like it's just a matter of continuing to give yourself opportunities, continuing to knock on the door.

“He's got a ton of talent. For me it's just a matter of time until he gets it done in one of these.

“Like I said, just continue to give yourself the opportunities, continue to knock on the door. I haven't seen a huge change in his game or anything like that. I think sometime you just need to continue to put yourself in these situations. He's definitely got the talent.”

Burns could be about to enjoy the best month of his life.

That he is even at Royal Birkdale is a surprise to many after he previously said his wife was due to give birth on Open week.

But after his daughter arrived early, he hopped on a flight.

“This golf tournament was honestly so far off of my radar,” he said.

“[Wife] Caroline’s due date was Tuesday this week. She was like four days late with our son. I just didn't think there was any possible way, and little Belle had different plans for us.

“Even after she was born, after a couple of days, I wasn't thinking much about it. Caroline was kind of like, so what are you thinking for next week? I was like, I don't know. Should we talk about it? She was like, yeah.

“Ultimately she's the one that really encouraged me to come over and play. She basically said 'I've got this at home. Go over there and give it your best', and here we are.”