2022 Charles Schwab Challenge: Top 10 power rankings at Colonial
You’ve got to start somewhere. Sam Burns struggled in his first six starts in major championships, making just three cuts highlighted by a T-29th at the 2019 PGA Championship.
He wasn’t able to get in the mix last week at Southern Hills, but Burns was in the top 10 for a while before settling for T-20th (71-67-71-72). Shooting 72 or better all four days on a windy, tricky course was impressive.
So was his win this spring at the Valspar Championship where he defended his 2021 title. Burns could be a factor this fall in the FedEx Cup Playoffs as he’s already got two wins thanks to a W last fall at the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Burns and Billy Horschel also contended at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (2nd).
The 25-year-old tends to play well on Bermuda grass like we’ll see at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Burns is playing the Charles Schwab Challenge for the second time. His debut was as a rookie in 2019 when he posted 69-72-70-70 for T-31st.
The LSU alum ranks 13th on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained (1.453), 12th in SG approach (.678), and is gaining strokes in every category.
If early week rain makes this course soft, that ought to only help Burns who’s 25th in driving distance (309.2) and loves to go birdie hunting (4.46 per round, 7th).
He’s also 10th in par-4 scoring (3.96) and 11th in three-putt avoidance (1.81%).