Who is Sam Burns? Masters leaderboard, score for 2026 tournament contender
Who is Sam Burns? The 29-year-old PGA Tour member is atop the Masters Tournament leaderboard through 18 holes, along with Rory McIlroy:
A unfamiliar face found himself atop the 2026 Masters leaderboard after the end of the first day of competition on Thursday, April 9. Sam Burns, a five-time PGA Tour winner, was tied with reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy at 5-under par at through the first 18 holes. The No.
33-ranked golfer in the world came to play to open the tournament. REQUIRED READING: Masters 2026 live leaderboard: Scottie Scheffler rallies back from early bogies The 29-year-old former LSU standout is making his fifth Masters starts in 2026, and is already well on his way to a career finish at Augusta National. Can Burns ride his strong start into Masters lore?
Here's what to know of Burns, a surprise Masters contender through the first 18 holes in 2026: Sam Burns PGA Tour wins Burns has five career PGA Tour wins, having last won the 2023 World Golf Championships in Austin, Texas. He won three tournaments in 2021-22 and secured his first win at the 2021 Valspar Championship. Here's a look at Burns' career PGA Tour wins: 2023 World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play 2022 Charles Schwab Challenge 2022 Valspar Championship 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship 2021 Valspar Championship Sam Burns major wins Burns has never won a major, with his best finish being tied-for seventh at the 2025 U.
S. Open. He's only finished top 20 at a major one other time in his career, when he was tied-for 19th at the 2025 PGA Championship.