Has Royal Birkdale hosted an Open Championship playoff before?

Yes, Royal Birkdale hosted an Open Championship playoff in 1998, which was won by Mark O'Meara over Brian Watts.

Who is leading The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale?

Sam Burns holds a two-shot lead after three rounds of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

Which players are close behind the leader at The Open?

Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim are two shots behind Sam Burns, while Bryson DeChambeau and Ludvig Åberg are four shots back. Tommy Fleetwood is also in contention.

MajorsBy the GolfOdds Editorial TeamAug 9, 2026, 8:00 AM ET

Playoff History Looms at Royal Birkdale as Sam Burns Leads The Open

Sam Burns holds a two-shot lead at The Open Championship, but the prospect of a playoff at Royal Birkdale brings back memories of a dramatic finish from 1998.

Sam Burns currently leads The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale by two strokes after three rounds, following a record-tying 62 and a subsequent 65. The course has a history of dramatic finishes, notably the 1998 Open, which was the only other time Royal Birkdale hosted a playoff. Burns, who is currently priced at +5500 (BetRivers), will aim to avoid such a scenario as he enters the final day.

The 1998 Open Championship saw Brian Watts enter the final round with a two-shot advantage over Mark O'Meara. O'Meara, who had also won the Masters that year, mounted a charge on the final day. Watts made a late comeback to force a playoff but ultimately fell short. Tiger Woods narrowly missed joining that playoff by a single stroke, a testament to the tight competition that year.

This year's leaderboard is similarly tight heading into the final round. Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim are both two shots behind Burns. Fox is currently available at +19500 (DraftKings), while Kim is listed at +6600 (BetRivers). Further back, Bryson DeChambeau, priced at +2200 (FanDuel), and Ludvig Åberg are four strokes off the lead. Local favorite Tommy Fleetwood, with odds of +2500 (Bovada), also remains in contention, drawing significant support from the Southport crowd.

Additionally, Scottie Scheffler, a leading contender at +460 (FanDuel), is among 19 players within six shots of the lead, indicating a wide-open field. The potential for a playoff, which would be the 21st in the history of The Open Championship (or 22nd, accounting for an 1876 refusal), adds an extra layer of anticipation to the final round at Royal Birkdale.

Compare the odds

The Open Championship odds →The Open Championship odds →Sam Burns Tommy Fleetwood Ryan Fox Scottie Scheffler Bryson DeChambeau Ludvig Aberg Si Woo Kim Tiger Woods

FAQ

Has Royal Birkdale hosted an Open Championship playoff before?: Yes, Royal Birkdale hosted an Open Championship playoff in 1998, which was won by Mark O'Meara over Brian Watts.
Who is leading The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale?: Sam Burns holds a two-shot lead after three rounds of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Which players are close behind the leader at The Open?: Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim are two shots behind Sam Burns, while Bryson DeChambeau and Ludvig Åberg are four shots back. Tommy Fleetwood is also in contention.