2023 Charles Schwab Challenge: Top 10 Power Rankings
Sam Burns can be a bit of a streaky player. He won for the fifth time on the PGA Tour by age 26 when he prevailed a couple months ago at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
Many thought that would be a springboard for him to keep on charging, but he’s come back to earth a bit with T-29th, T-15th, MC, MC in his next four tournaments.
On the bright side for Burns, he’s come to the right place to get the mojo back. The former LSU Tiger prevailed one state to the west when he donned the plaid jacket after winning the 2022 Charles Schwab Challenge.
Burns overcame an opening round 71 to close in 68-67-65 to reach a playoff with Scottie Scheffler. A birdie on the first playoff hole shut the door on the recent Masters champ at the time.
It was a colossal comeback for a man who began the final round seven shots adrift of the lead.
This was Burns’ second start at Colonial. Rounds of 69-72-70-70 netted him T-31st in 2021.
Burns missed the cut last week at the PGA Championship, and it wasn’t even close. He’ll seek a comeback like he did after round one at Colonial last year.
Coming back to a course and tournament that provided him childhood memories can give him some inspiration.
"“Yeah, back in 2011 I was here when David Toms won,” Burns was transcribed in 2022 by ASAP Sports. “Been a mentor of mine, great friend of my family, and I remember being there whenever he holed a wedge on 11, and walked around with Carter [Toms] for a couple days. That was really fun, and memories that I still think about.”"
Burns ranked top-20 in the field in all strokes gained categories in his win. The usually trusty putter, known to putt well on the Bermuda grass he grew up on, was sixth on Bermuda at Colonial last year in SG putting.
On the season, Burns is fourth in SG putting per round (.733). If he can get his ball striking and short game in order, there’s no reason he can’t be a top-10 player in the world.
A strong title defense this week is the way to start.