2024 RBC Canadian Open: Top 10 power rankings at Hamilton

Sam Burns isn’t exactly the most in-form player in the field, but he’s one of the more accomplished. The five-time PGA Tour champion has a good opportunity to find the winner’s circle again this week for the first time in 2024.

While Burns missed the cut in his last start at the PGA Championship, he made progress by taking T-13th the week prior at the Wells Fargo Championship.

The former LSU Tiger was scorching early in the year with four straight top-10s, including two at Signature Events. Burns peaked at the WM Phoenix Open with T-3rd.

This will be Burns’ debut at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. He’s played well before in this country, taking T-4th at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open at St. George’s.

The 27-year-old Louisianan ranks 38th on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Total (.608). He’s 40th in SG: Off-the-Tee (.302) and 51st in SG: Putting (.227).

That’s not a bad standing in putting, but he’s capable of much more. Burns was eighth (.584) last season and 10th in the 2021-22 campaign.

Perhaps Burns’ newfound parenthood is affecting his game. He and his wife, Caroline, welcomed their son, Bear, into the world on April 22.

As things settle down for Burns, I expect his game to round into form. He was one of the last players to sneak onto last year’s Ryder Cup team and will have to get it in gear to make this year’s Presidents Cup squad.

If he can cut down on mistakes, Burns has the ability to post red numbers in bunches. He’s third on the PGA Tour in birdie average (4.54).