Sam Burns has already noticed a change in the greens at Augusta this year
Sam Burns has enjoyed an absolute dream start to The Masters, ending his first round as the early clubhouse leader. Burns carded a 5-under 67 in his opening round at Augusta National, which included an eagle on the second hole.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Sam Burns has enjoyed an absolute dream start to The Masters, ending his first round as the early clubhouse leader. Burns carded a 5-under 67 in his opening round at Augusta National, which included an eagle on the second hole.
The American also hit four birdies, 12 pars and one bogey as he set the pace at The Masters, the first major championship of 2026. Burns is making his fifth start at the tournament this year, with a T29 finish in 2023 representing his best run so far. But he is now in contention for a maiden major win following a strong start, after which he discussed the conditions at Augusta.
Sam Burns notices firm greens at Augusta National When it was suggested in his post-round press conference that the course is perhaps playing more firm than it has in recent years, he said: “Yeah, I would say so. “I think the past few years we’ve gotten rain at some point in the week, early in the week. You could definitely see it even from Monday to today how much firmer the greens are.
“They’re only going to get firmer. I think as the golf course speeds up, it only gets more difficult out there, and I think it’s going to be a really good test. ” And when asked if being the early leader relieves pressure or increases it, Burns replied: “Like I said earlier, I think this golf course is so tricky that you kind of try to get lost in your kind of process out there and just try to execute.