Sam Burns could be the next big thing on the PGA Tour. And if he is, he will climb the ranks with his family who are close to his heart.
Burns won the Sanderson Farms Championship on Sunday after battling his way through the Country Club of Jackson, finishing 22 under, a stroke better than runners-up Nick Watney and Cameron Young.
The 25-year-old shot 5 under 67 in the final round, securing his second career win on the tour.
As he walked off the 18 green, he hugged his wife, Carolina Campbell, with a kiss. And on his mind was his newborn nephew Burns Walker, who is battling spinal meningitis at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.
“He won’t remember because he’s only 5 or 6 weeks old,” Burns said, “but I will definitely remember and our family will remember this family and what they went through.”
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Spinal meningitis is a serious infection that targets fluids around the brain and spinal cord. The results can be positive if recognized in a timely manner. Walker has been in the hospital for two weeks, Burns said, and it could be “a decent while” before he is out.
“So, yes, please everyone to keep her in your thoughts and prayers,” said Burns.
Burns wore yellow on Sunday as part of the Jack Nicklaus-led initiative between the PGA Tour and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals that invited players to wear the color Nicklaus made famous to support local children’s hospitals.
The irony hadn’t escaped Burns.
Alongside the Valspar Championship in Miami, the emotional win was his second win this calendar year. He stepped behind leader Sahith Theegala on the first stroke, but surpassed him with a final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
“I think these experiences were very important to me last year,” said Burns. “I learned a lot. Having that in my luggage today, this experience, was definitely helpful. Being on the track felt very different than in the past. Not necessarily more self-confident, but only in better shape.” (My) thought process is much better. These experiences definitely helped. “
Burns, a Shreveport native who played at LSU and currently lives in Monroe, told reporters that his goal for this week and this season is to keep refining the things he needs to improve and “we will.” see what happens “.
“The circle is definitely coming full circle,” said Burns, who made his PGA Tour debut at the 2017 Sanderson Farms Championship. “This is one of my favorite events on the tour. I always love coming here because I’m so close to home and for (Tournament Director) Steve (Jent) it was really special to give me this opportunity as a kid to do that College left (2017). Me. “
When he went into the tournament, Burns had similar views, saying he was a fan of the Jackson golf course with its Bermuda grass. His best result so far in Jackson was a draw in third place in 2019.
Now, as the youngest champion, he hopes it will bring him many more wins in the future.
“Being this close to home is only two and a half hours from where I live and it’s really cool to have friends and family here,” said Burns. “… It meant a lot to me and, God willing, I’ll be able to play here for the next 20 years.”
What is in the bag?
The golf equipment that Sam Burns used to win the PGA Tour’s Sanderson Farms Championship, according to Golfweek:
- DRIVER: Callaway Epic Speed (10.5 degrees), with Fujikura Ventus Blue 7X shaft (from $ 529.99 at Carl’s Golfland and Dick’s)
- FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero (17 degrees), with Fujikura Ventus Black 8X shaft (from $ 199.99 at Carl’s Golfland and Dick’s)
- HYBRID: Callaway Apex (23 degrees), with Fujikura Atmos Blue Hybrid 8X shaft (from $ 269.99 at Carl’s Golfland and Dick’s)
- IRON: Callaway Apex TCB (4-9), with Project X 6.5 shafts
- WEDGES: Callaway JAWS MD5 Raw (46, 50, 56, 60 degrees), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts (from $ 149.99 at Carl’s Golfland)
- PUTTER: Odyssey O-Works Black # 7S
- BALL: Callaway Chrome Soft X (starting at $ 47.99 at Carl’s Golfland and Dick’s)
Contact Rashad Milligan at 601-862-6198 or [email protected]. Follow @RashadMilligan on Twitter.