Sam Burns just keeps piling up wins.
He donned the plaid jacket in his last start at the Charles Schwab Challenge for his third victory of the 2021-22 PGA Tour season. He also won last fall at the Sanderson Farms Championship and this spring defended his title at the Valspar Championship.
At Colonial a couple weeks ago, Burns came back from seven shots down starting Sunday thanks to the round of the day, a 5-under 65 that got Burns into a playoff with 54-hole leader, Scottie Scheffler.
Burns proceeded to roll in a lengthy birdie putt from off the green to stun Scheffler on the first extra hole.
He made no double bogeys or worse all week and was top-10 in strokes gained off the tee, putting, and tee to green. Usually, you have to lay back at Colonial, but Burns said he and his caddy determined it was best to be aggressive off the tee. It paid off as he won despite coming in at T-61st in driving accuracy (53.57%).
Perhaps that will be the strategy again at another short course like St. George’s, where Burns is making his debut. This is also his first RBC Canadian Open appearance.
The LSU alum has all the tools to play well at various courses.
He’s seventh on the PGA Tour in total SG (1.595) and has the approach play to stand out this week (12th, .703).
If low scores are in play, Burns has the ability to go low. He’s fourth in birdie average (4.5).
One of few weaknesses is approach proximity out of the rough, which doesn’t predict to be overly menacing.
The 25-year-old also ranks seventh in par-4 scoring (3.96) and par-5 scoring (4.48).
The true test for Burns will be to start proving it at majors. For now, he’s at least plenty comfortable playing the PGA Tour.