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2021 CJ Cup: Top 10 power rankings at The Summit Club

By Mike Randleman

Sep 3, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Sungjae Im lines a putt on the 2nd green during the second round of the Tour Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Sungjae Im lines a putt on the 2nd green during the second round of the Tour Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2021; Jackson, Mississippi, USA; Sam Burns hugs his caddy Travis Perkins after he putted on the 18th hole during the final round of the Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2021; Jackson, Mississippi, USA; Sam Burns hugs his caddy Travis Perkins after he putted on the 18th hole during the final round of the Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

It can be tough teeing it up the week after you win on the PGA Tour. Even though it wasn’t his maiden win a couple weeks back at the Sanderson Farms Championship, it was still just his second.

Burns stuck to his commitment to play the Shriners Children’s Open across the country in Las Vegas. Wisely so, as he fired 66-63 to grab a share of the 36-hole lead. A Saturday 68 still gave him a shot, but a closing 72 dropped him to T-14th.

He was in line for a top-10 until a double bogey on the 72nd hole.

The former LSU Tiger was fifth in the field in strokes gained tee to green (8.161 total) and fifth in SG off the tee (3.697). He overcame a cold putter in Mississippi but couldn’t quite do it again here.

He ranked ninth on the PGA Tour last season in SG putting (.579), so expect that aspect of his game to improve.

It’s possible Burns ran out of gas down the stretch in the desert, but he still managed his sixth straight top-25 finish. That stretch also includes T-2nd at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational and solo eighth at the BMW Championship.

He was one of the first men left off the U.S. Ryder Cup team and is playing like he wants to be a lock for 2023.

Last season, Burns was fifth in birdie average (4.43) and 33rd in driving distance (305.3).

Burns’ two wins came against weak to average quality fields. Beating a bunch of big names here at The Summit Club would make a big statement.

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