By TEDDY ALLEN/Designated Writers
Designated Writer John James Marshall wrote this in late February after Sam Burns finished third in the Genesis Open:
“For a big part of that event, he not only looked like the best player at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, but it looked like he might the lap the field. He led by five strokes after 36 holes.
But it’s hard to win a golf tournament, especially if you haven’t won a PGA event before. Burns has won all kinds of tournaments at every level. And he’s had the lead at various points in PGA tournaments. But couldn’t finish it off.
… Winning a golf tournament can often be found at the intersection of good luck, bad luck, talent and experience. Learning how to handle all four at the same time is often what it takes to lift the trophy.
The talent of Burns, who missed the playoff by one stroke and came in third, is undeniable. When Sam Burns wins a PGA tournament, it won’t be because there’s been a wreck on Turn 4 on the final lap.”
Aaaaaaand…JJ was right. Sam tapped in for bogey on 18 and still won by 3 Sunday at the Valspar Championship in Florida for his first career win in his 76th PGA Tour start.
Que the smiles and tears of joy and relief from Team Burns.
Other people were smiling in other places. David Toms in Texas at The Woodlands, where he finished in a three-way tie for second Sunday in the Insperity Invitational (almost a Shreveport Sweep Sunday!); who knows how many times Burns has practiced at 265, Toms’ facility in Shreveport, or how many rounds they’ve played together. And Brad Pullin in Choudrant at Squire Creek, Burns’ coach for more than a decade—and if you’ve never seen those two in a practice session, well, it’s a sight to behold. (Brad is pretty much smiling all the time anyway but Sunday, I bet he set a record.)
In fact, all the gang at Squire Creek and at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport, even at Origin Bank (one of his first sponsors) had to be all smiles Sunday when one of their own raised the trophy.
It was just a matter of time for the former best college golfer in the country while at LSU. And it turns out the time was right and worth waiting for.
Sunday Sam’s family was there with him. He’s crying. They’re crying. Smiling. Crying. It’s been a family affair for a while now. And on this Sunday, all that was left was to go sign his scorecard and make it official.
“Couldn’t write it up any better,” Burns said.
One down and … we’ll see now how many to go. He’ll get a shot at the PGA Championship, thanks to the automatic invite following Sunday’s win. And he’ll get an invite to the Masters in April.
Designated Writers has taken the year off from Augusta for obvious reasons. But since Sam’s going, we’ll try to go too and tag along. You never do know…
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