Sam Burns has shared his sympathy for Bryson DeChambeau following his two-shot penalty at the US Open.
The punishment on day two at Royal Birkdale continues to divide opinion, with many of the remaining field having been asked about the incident on day three.
Burns was no exception, and he was in the unique position of being partnered with his fellow American on Saturday.
DeChambeau was hugely disappointed after being docked two points at The Open on Friday, having been deemed to have improved his backswing line on the fifth hole.
Notably, Rory McIlroy thinks DeChambeau deserved his penalty at Royal Birkdale, but Burns is of the opposite opinion.
Sam Burns felt bad for Bryson DeChambeau after two-shot penalty at The Open
Speaking to the media after climbing to the top of the leaderboard heading into Sunday, Burns was asked what the environment was like alongside DeChambeau, and if they discussed his two-shot penalty on the course.
“I thought the fans were very supportive of Bryson today,” said Burns. “We didn’t discuss it any. In my personal opinion, I honestly feel bad for Bryson in the situation that he was in.
“From my perspective, I didn’t feel like maybe there was enough evidence for him to deserve a penalty there. I feel bad for him.
“I think he played an incredible round of golf late yesterday, and it’s unfortunate to have something kind of like that where they come in after your round and tell you you’re being docked two shots.
“But props to him. He came out and played a really nice round of golf today, and that takes a lot of grit to be able to come out and do that. So I was impressed.”
DeChambeau was one shot off the lead before losing two shots, and is now four shots behind leader Burns after day three.
Was Bryson DeChambeau's penalty unfair?
He was penalised two shots following an incident on the fifth hole…
Sam Burns suggests what has held him back from winning recently
It has certainly been some time since Burns last claimed a victory, which arrived at the 2023 World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play.
Suggesting what has held him back in recent years, The Open leader said: “I think kind of like I just mentioned, I mean, the margin is so thin that I just haven’t quite been able to hole that extra putt or make that extra chip or whatever it is.
“I feel like at times I’ve played well enough to win, and also I feel like there’s times where maybe I’ve back-doored a top ten or back-doored a top five.
“So it looks really good on paper, but I haven’t necessarily felt as close as maybe I thought I should to win.
“I think ultimately it comes down to being able to go out there and execute. I feel like, when I’ve been close, I haven’t been able to do that as well as I would like to.
“That will be the game plan for tomorrow; just try to go out there and give myself as many looks as possible on the greens and see what happens.”
Who do you think will win The Open on Sunday?
Sam Burns holds a two-shot lead heading into the final round…
With five PGA Tour victories, Burns clearly knows how to get over the line, but it has yet to happen for him on the big stage.
He now has a fantastic chance to end his winning drought and his major drought, but it certainly won’t be an easy task in Southport, where DeChambeau could be among his closest competitors.
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