2022 Hero World Challenge: Top 10 Power Rankings at Albany

Not all withdrawals are equal.

Oftentimes, they are a result of injury.

In the case of Sam Burns in his last start at the Cadence Bank Houston Open, it was likely just a way to mitigate the damage of a tough week.

He was well on his way to missing the cut with five holes left in his second round when play was halted on Friday. It would have been admirable for him to come back out on Saturday and finish it out, but it’s hard to blame Burns for wanting to head home.

Especially after a busy 2022 for the Louisianan.

Burns is twice a winner this year doing so in repeat fashion at the Valspar Championship and for the first time at the Charles Schwab Challenge. It’s hard to fake it around venues like Innisbrook and Colonial.

Burns earned his way onto the American Presidents Cup team where his performance was better than his 0-3-2 record indicates.

He’s kept a low profile this season, collecting T-30th at the Sanderson Farms Championship and T-7th at the CJ Cup, which was filled with big names.

Burns comes to the Hero World Challenge for the second time. He was in position to win in his debut last year with a lead on the back nine on Sunday but a triple bogey on No. 14 that saw Burns hit five chips stymied his chances.

Nonetheless, Burns still played well his first time around Albany to card 71-65-68-69 and finish just three back in T-3rd.

Burns hails from LSU and tends to play well in the southeastern U.S. He will enjoy seeing Bermuda grass in play this week.