SUMMARY
- Cam Young shot a final round 64 to finish at nine under after a closing bogey.
- A mistake at the 18th hole prevented Young from reaching 10 under, a score he believed could win.
- Several contenders, including Sam Burns and Si Woo Kim, remained on the course as Young waited.
Cam Young produced one of the standout rounds of the week at Royal Birkdale, climbing from a tie for 20th into Open Championship contention with an impressive eight under-par 64.
The American made an immediate move by opening with three consecutive birdies before adding another at the fifth hole.
His front-nine score of 29 quickly placed him among the tournament leaders after beginning the day seven shots behind.
Young continued his charge on the back nine despite increasingly difficult conditions. Birdies at the par-five 14th and 17th holes lifted him to 10 under during the round, putting him in position to challenge for the Claret Jug. His bid, however, unraveled at the final hole.
After choosing driver from the 18th tee, Young again found the fairway bunker, repeating the mistake he made during the third round.
Attempting to remain aggressive, he tried to reach the green with a six iron but struck the bunker face, leaving himself in trouble.
His recovery reached the greenside bunker, and although he nearly saved par, he settled for his first bogey of the day to finish at nine under 271.
Young said he believed reaching 10 under would have given him a strong chance to capture the championship and explained that his strategy reflected his intention to play for victory rather than protect his score.
Young’s clubhouse lead came as several contenders were still completing their final rounds.
Overnight leader Sam Burns surrendered his advantage after three straight bogeys on the fourth, fifth and sixth holes. South Korea’s Si Woo Kim also slipped back after consecutive bogeys on holes 11 and 12.
Ryan Fox of New Zealand and Australia’s Lucas Herbert remained in contention at seven under with several holes still to play.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler closed at seven under after an up and down final round that included early birdies but late bogeys.
Tommy Fleetwood briefly energized home supporters before three consecutive bogeys ended his challenge, while Rory McIlroy finished at one under after struggling to maintain momentum throughout the day.
Bryson DeChambeau’s tournament also faded after a triple bogey at the 11th hole. Young’s remarkable comeback demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change during the final round of a major championship.
His score established the target for the remaining contenders and highlighted the demanding closing stretch at Royal Birkdale.
Young’s aggressive approach reflected the pressure of chasing a major title. His decision to attack the 18th hole ultimately cost him a stroke, but it also illustrated the fine margins that often decide golf’s biggest championships.
The final round featured dramatic swings throughout the leaderboard as changing conditions tested the leading players. Young’s 64 emerged as one of the best rounds of the championship, but the outcome depended on players still on the course.
TABLE
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Cam Young |
| Venue | Royal Birkdale |
| Final Round | 64 |
| Tournament Total | 9-under 271 |
| Front Nine | 29 |
| Closing Hole | Bogey |
Young must wait for the remaining contenders to finish before learning whether his nine under total is enough to secure his first Open Championship title.
Why did Cam Young miss out on a higher finish?
Young made his only bogey of the day on the 18th hole after driving into a fairway bunker and failing to reach the green with his second shot.
What score did Cam Young finish with?
Young completed the tournament at nine under par after carding a final round 64.
Who was still in contention after Young finished?
Sam Burns, Si Woo Kim, Ryan Fox and Lucas Herbert remained in the hunt while Young waited in the clubhouse.
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