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2021 Valspar Championship: Sam Burns in Position for First Win

By Tim Letcher

PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA - MAY 01: Sam Burns of the United States plays his shot from the ninth tee during the third round of the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort on May 01, 2021 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA - MAY 01: Sam Burns of the United States plays his shot from the ninth tee during the third round of the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort on May 01, 2021 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Sam Burns has never won on the PGA Tour. But through 54 holes at the 2021 Valspar Championship, he’s in position to do just that this week.

Burns opened the week in solid fashion by shooting a 4-under par 67 on Thursday. It was a round that featured an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys.

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On Friday, he went even lower. Burns had an outstanding round with eight birdies and no bogeys on his way to a 63. It moved him into the lead halfway through the tournament.

Saturday is Kentucky Derby day and Burns shot out of the gate like a champion by recording an eagle on his first hole. After a par on the second, he birdied the third to get to 3-under through three holes.

Burns would par the fourth before a birdie on the fifth. That got him to 4-under par. He would par the final four holes on his front side to shoot a 4-under par 32, taking a two-shot lead in the process.

On the back nine, Burns saw the lead slip away when Keegan Bradley eagled the 14th hole, followed by Burns’ bogey on the 16th. Then on the 18th, Burns would bogey, but Bradley did as well and the two will share the lead with 18 holes to play.

Still just 24 years old, Burns has come close to winning before. Burns has three Top 10 finishes this season, including a tie for fourth last week at the Zurich Classic where he partnered with Billy Horschel.

Burns had a solo third-place showing at the Genesis Invitational in February, tying the best showing of his career. In November of 2020 Burns was in a solid position at the Houston Open. However, a 72 in the final round left him in a tie for seventh place.

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He has yet to get over the top, but he keeps knocking at the door of victory. He will get another shot at winning for the first time on tour on Sunday.

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