JOURNAL SPORTS
DUBLIN, Ohio – Sam Burns doesn’t play in the rain by choice very often. What he did Friday belies that.
The Shreveport native and Calvary Baptist PGA Tour pro followed Thursday’s opening 76 at The Memorial with a spectacular 7-under 65 in a steady rain in the second round. It was the cornerstone of a 12th-place finish at one of the Tour’s signature events, earning him $415,000 and moving him over the $30 million mark for official career earnings since turning pro in 2019.
The round was not only the best Friday, but was not bettered in any of the four rounds.
Most importantly, it showed he is somebody to watch in two weeks when the USGA hosts the U.S. Open at nearby Oakmont, Pa., and storied Oakmont Country Club.
“It’s not very often you’re under an umbrella the whole round,” said Burns following Friday’s play, after he moved up 44 spots after making six birdies and an eagle against one bogey. “I think coming into today we kind of knew that that’s what it was going to be like … sometimes it can be helpful because you’re just so focused on that shot and there’s a lot of different things going on that you just kind of hone in on what you’re trying to do.”
Golf Digest reported after Thursday’s struggle, Burns worked with his swing coach, Squire Creek Country Club pro Brad Pullin, adjusting his takeaway. It had immediate impact. The 28-year-old five-time PGA Tour winner soared as high as eighth in the standings during the weekend in an event won for the second consecutive year by Burns’ pal and the world No. 1, Scottie Scheffler.
Burns carded a 72 on Sunday’s final round, with four birdies and four bogies, to finish at even par 278. He was 3-over 75 Saturday.
It was his seventh Top 25 in 15 starts this season. He narrowly missed his third Top 10.
Burns, the former LSU All-American who won the Nicklaus Award as the nation’s top college player ending his days with the Tigers, had his best showing at The Memorial on the 50th anniversary of Jack Nicklaus’ tournament played at a challenging course the Golden Bear designed in his hometown.
Ranked No. 1 on the Tour this season in shots gained putting, Burns was second in the field this week at plus 2.10. Brandt Snedeker, at plus 4.6 after a sensational closing 7-under par round that moved him to 1-under overall, was the only player better on the greens among the 57 who made Friday’s cut.
Burns will play this week in Toronto at the RBC Canadian Open, where he has performed well in past starts, notably a tie for fourth in 2022.