2021 BMW Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Caves Valley

Sam Burns is among the bevy of names who have a great case to get his name called as a Ryder Cup captain’s pick by Steve Stricker.

If points could only be accrued in 2021, he’d have a much stronger case. Burns has really come on this year with his maiden PGA Tour win coming at the Valspar Championships. He tacked on runner-ups at the AT&T Byron Nelson and WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational.

Burns was a lip-out for birdie away from extending a playoff in Memphis.

Shortly after Burns’ win in Florida, a back injury derailed him for about a month, but he’s back close to top form.

The former LSU standout owns four top-25s in his last five starts. That includes T-21st at The Northern Trust, where Burns looked great in the middle of the tournament with rounds of 67-64.

The 25-year-old was 11th in the field in strokes gained off the tee (3.846 total). Burns needed to be more efficient with his irons, which is usually one of his strengths along with the driver.

Burns is 17th on the PGA Tour this season in SG approach (.597). He’ll likely welcome potential rain that could soften the course and make it a birdie fest.

Burns is fourth in birdie average (4.39). On the rare chance his driver is off-kilter, Burns ranks 21st in proximity from the rough (41’9”). He’d still much rather be in the short grass where he’s 28th in proximity (30’7”).

This is his BMW Championship debut. Playing at a new tournament venue in Caves Valley should negate some of the disadvantages that inexperience can bring.