Royal Liverpool, July 19, 2026 – Cameron Young carded a final-round 64 to post the clubhouse lead at nine under par. One bunker shot on the 17th hole nearly rewrote history.
Young’s round featured seven birdies and no bogeys. His back-nine charge, including a near-eagle from a green-side bunker on 17, electrified the crowd. The ball lipped out. It would have set up a tap-in eagle and a share of the lead.
Ryan Fox birdied the 18th to win by one stroke.
“I’m proud of how I played,” Young told ESPN after the round. “To shoot 64 in the final round of a major, with that pressure, is something I can build on.”
The USA Today leaderboard showed Young at nine under as Fox and others played the final holes. Young waited in the scorer’s trailer. Fox’s putt on 18 dropped.
Young’s 64 matched some of the great closing rounds in Open history. Jack Nicklaus shot 65 at St. Andrews in 1978. Henrik Stenson shot 63 at Troon in 2016. Young’s round was cleaner and more efficient.
His ball-striking data from the final round was elite. He hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation. His scrambling percentage was 100%. He gained 2.1 strokes on approach and 1.4 strokes putting.
The near-miss at 17 was the defining moment. Young used a 60-degree wedge from a tight lie in the bunker. The ball landed softly, tracked the hole, and lipped out. BBC Sport’s clip showed the crowd’s collective gasp.
“That would have been something,” Young said. “But I can’t dwell on it. I have to take the positives.”
Young’s career arc now mirrors players who won majors shortly after similar near-misses. He finished runner-up at the 2022 Open. He contended at the 2023 PGA Championship. His strokes gained approach numbers have improved every year since 2022.
The 2026 Open schedule favors Young’s game. Royal Liverpool’s firm, fast conditions reward power and creativity. Young’s driving distance and short-game touch suit links golf.
Analysts are circling Young as a top candidate for a 2027 major win.
One shot didn’t go in. His trajectory is unmistakable.
| Statistic | Final Round (R4) | Tournament Total |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 64 (-7) | -9 |
| Birdies | 7 | 18 |
| Bogeys | 0 | 5 |
| Fairways Hit | 11/14 | 78.5% |
| Greens in Regulation | 14/18 | 74.3% |
| Strokes Gained: Approach | +2.1 | +4.8 |
| Strokes Gained: Putting | +1.4 | +2.1 |
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What score did Cameron Young shoot in the final round of The Open?
- A: Cameron Young shot a bogey-free 64 in the final round to reach nine under par.
- Q: Who won The Open in 2026?
- A: Ryan Fox won by one stroke after birdieing the 18th hole.
- Q: What was the defining moment of Cameron Young’s round?
- A: A near-eagle from a green-side bunker on the 17th hole that lipped out, which would have tied the lead.
- Q: How does Young’s 64 compare to historic Open rounds?
- A: It matches elite closing rounds like Jack Nicklaus’s 65 at St. Andrews (1978) and Henrik Stenson’s 63 at Troon (2016), with Young’s round noted for being cleaner and more efficient.
- Q: Why is 2026 considered a potential breakout year for Cameron Young?
- A: His elite ball-striking, 100% scrambling, and composure under pressure in a major final round suggest he is on the verge of a major victory.
Extended Reading
Source: USA Today leaderboard data, ESPN post-round interview, BBC Sport video clip.
