SerpApi.Org
Ryan Fox is sure Sam Burns' "time will come" after another agonizing near miss for the American in the majors, this time at The Open Championship.
Burns started Sunday's final round with a two-shot lead at 10 under par, but it was playing partner Fox who got his hands on the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale. The New Zealander shot a two-under-par 68 to finish at 10 under for the week, and Burns could only muster a 72 to slide into third place. Cam Young set an imposing clubhouse lead at nine under after going out early and firing a 64, but Fox snatched victory with a birdie at the last.
Burns has put himself in a position to contend at the majors over the past two seasons, including last month's U.S. Open, when he was pipped by Wyndham Clark by one shot at Shinnecock Hills. The 29-year-old also made deep runs at the Masters and last year's U.S. Open, but glory on the biggest stages continues to elude him.
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But Fox is sure that Burns will become a major champion sooner or later. He told reporters: "He was brilliant out there. His time will come. I thought he hit a lot of really good shots, had a lot of putts that shaved the edge."
Fox and Burns are both fast players, and the Kiwi admitted they were not an ideal pairing due to the slow pace of play as the championship went down to the wire.
"I play with Sam a bunch and get along with him really well," he said. "There was a little bit of talk out there, especially considering the circumstances we were in.
"I think there was a little bit in common. He plays really fast as well, so we probably weren't the best group together in the last group of a major championship, having to wait a lot."
Burns played the tournament on short notice. He was expecting to be at home for the birth of his second child, but his wife, Caroline, gave birth to a baby girl, Belle, almost two weeks early.
With that in mind, he was proud of his performance, but he heads home with final-round regrets.
"I think the more you put yourself in this position, the better. Given the circumstances, I'm very pleased with the week. I'm looking forward to being home," he said.
"I played a lot of great golf this week. Unfortunately didn't have my best stuff today," Burns said. "Got off to a bad start, made a couple of mistakes early.
"Ryan played amazing. He's a well-earned champion. Hat's off to him. He did what he needed to do down the stretch. Ultimately just came up a couple short today."
