The Open Championship 2026 final round is set up for a tense finish at Royal Birkdale, with Sam Burns leading at 10-under and Australian pair Lucas Herbert and Cameron John both inside the chasing pack. Burns starts two clear of Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim, while Herbert is only three shots back at 7-under and firmly in the mix for the Claret Jug. For pre-tournament betting analysis, see our The Open Championship 2026 tips. For the full schedule, see our The Open 2026 tee times in AEST.
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
FINAL ROUND UPDATE: Sam Burns leads The Open at -10, but there is a strong Australian angle with Lucas Herbert at -7 and Cameron John at -4 before their final rounds. Live leaderboard positions and tee times can move quickly, so use this as the final-round snapshot before the leaders head out at Royal Birkdale.
The Open 2026 Final Round Leaderboard
Burns has the advantage, but Royal Birkdale still leaves room for movement. Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim are two shots behind, Ryan Gerard and Lucas Herbert are three back, while Bryson DeChambeau, Ludvig Aberg and J. Suber sit four off the lead.
| Pos | Player | Total | Final Round | R4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | S. Burns | -10 | 3:20 PM | |
| T2 | R. Fox | -8 | 3:20 PM | |
| T2 | S.W. Kim | -8 | 3:10 PM | |
| T4 | R. Gerard | -7 | 3:10 PM | |
| T4 | L. Herbert | -7 | 3:00 PM | |
| T6 | L. Aberg | -6 | 3:00 PM | |
| T6 | B. DeChambeau | -6 | 2:50 PM | |
| T6 | J. Suber | -6 | 2:50 PM | |
| T9 | R. Neergaard-Petersen | -5 | 2:40 PM | |
| T9 | T. Fleetwood | -5 | 2:40 PM | |
| T11 | X. Schauffele | -4 | 2:30 PM | |
| T11 | E. Cole | -4 | 2:30 PM | |
| T11 | K. Kobori | -4 | 2:15 PM | |
| T11 | H. Matsuyama | -4 | 2:15 PM | |
| T11 | D. Brown | -4 | 2:05 PM | |
| T11 | Cam. John | -4 | 2:05 PM | |
| T11 | S. Lowry | -4 | 1:55 PM | |
| T11 | J. Rahm | -4 | 1:55 PM | |
| T11 | S. Scheffler | -4 | 1:45 PM |
Australian Tracker: Lucas Herbert Leads the Local Charge
The headline Australian story is Lucas Herbert. Starting the final round at 7-under, Herbert is close enough to apply pressure if he can post an early number and force Burns, Fox and Kim to respond. His position at T4 gives Australian punters a genuine live outright angle, especially if links conditions become difficult across the closing stretch.
Cameron John is also inside the top 20 at 4-under, level with names including Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry and Hideki Matsuyama. That is a strong major-week showing and gives the Australian contingent two players in the upper part of the leaderboard heading into the final round.
For local viewers and bettors, the Australian angle is clear: Herbert is the realistic Claret Jug contender, while John is chasing a high-end finish and a major career marker. The final round also gives Australian punters useful betting markets beyond the outright, including top-5, top-10, three-ball, round score and head-to-head match betting.
Who Can Win The Open From Here?
Burns deserves favouritism from the front. A two-shot major lead is meaningful, particularly when the closest challengers still have to take on Royal Birkdale under final-round pressure. The challenge for Burns is that this is not a runaway. Fox and Kim are close enough to attack, Herbert and Gerard are within one hot stretch, and DeChambeau remains dangerous from four back.
Fox looks the most obvious immediate threat because he is in the final pairing and can apply direct pressure from the first tee. Kim brings a controlled ball-striking profile that can hold up on a demanding links setup. Herbert is the key Australian challenger and arguably the most compelling each-way or live top-5 angle if markets still leave room in the price.
DeChambeau and Aberg need more help from the leaders, but both have the scoring power to make a run. Scheffler, Rahm, Lowry and Schauffele are further back at 4-under, so they likely need a very low round and a stumble from the top five to turn this into a winning chance.
The Open 2026 Winner Odds: Live Betting Picture
The live betting market should have Burns as the clear favourite, with Fox and Kim next in line and Herbert prominent among the chasing options. Herbert’s price will be one of the more interesting Australian-market checks before his round begins because he has both leaderboard position and local betting appeal.
Punters should be careful with the outright market at this stage. A final-round major at Royal Birkdale can shift quickly, but the value often sits in derivative markets rather than simply chasing the leader. Herbert top-5, Herbert top Australian, Fox or Kim in final-round match betting, and DeChambeau low-round markets may all be worth comparing depending on the prices available.
For a broader bookmaker comparison, see our guide to the best golf betting sites in Australia. Bettors can also compare major golf markets through operators such as bet365, where outright, each-way and live markets are typically available across the final round.
Final Round Betting Angles
Best Australian angle: Lucas Herbert top-5 or each-way
Herbert is three shots behind Burns and starts close enough to contend without needing chaos at the top. If his outright price has shortened too far, top-5 and each-way markets may be the cleaner Australian-focused route.
Leader angle: Sam Burns to hold on
Burns has the simplest path. He starts two clear and does not need to chase. If he controls the front nine and avoids a major mistake, the pressure shifts onto Fox, Kim and Herbert to find birdies.
Chaser angle: Ryan Fox or Si Woo Kim
Fox and Kim are close enough to win without needing a miracle. Fox has the benefit of playing alongside Burns, while Kim’s position one group ahead gives him a chance to post pressure before the final pairing reaches the closing holes.
What Time Does The Open Final Round Start?
The leaders are scheduled late in the day at Royal Birkdale, with Sam Burns and Ryan Fox listed together at 3:20pm local time. Lucas Herbert and Ludvig Aberg are listed for 3:00pm, while Cameron John is listed alongside Daniel Brown at 2:05pm. Australian viewers should check our The Open 2026 tee times page for the AEST schedule and broadcast context.
More Golf Betting Content
- The Open Championship 2026 Tips
- The Open 2026 Tee Times in AEST
- Golf Betting Tips Hub
- Best Golf Betting Sites Australia
Looking for the best bookmakers to bet on The Open?
At BettingPro.com.au, we compare Australian online betting sites for golf majors, including live outright markets, each-way betting, top finisher markets and final-round specials.
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Exclusive 365AUCODE referral code: bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers.18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Responsible gambling: Gambling Help 1800 858 858. Online support at gamblinghelponline.org.au. 18+ only. BettingPro may receive affiliate commissions from bookmakers listed on this page.