One more week, another seven-time deficit was wiped out as Sam Burns came out of nowhere to win the Charles Schwab Challenge 2022. By shooting a final round of 5 under 65 on a day when the average Colonial score was almost surpassed, the Louisiana native catapulted into the standings and into the playoffs with his good friend, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Spotted by a dramatic bird in the first hole of the playoffs, Burns not only captured a tartan jacket and a custom ’79 Firebird, but most importantly, his third win of the season. For much of the day, hell, for much of the tournament, it was almost assumed that Scheffler would get his fifth win in the last four months.
Unfortunately, the number 1 in the world could not catch any momentum and finally signed for a 2 out of 72. Scheffler was sometimes discouraged: he lacked streets, judged the wind badly and, in general, seemed uncomfortable with greens, but he still resisted. Ultimately, his poor play combined with the difficult conditions turned out to be too much, as Burns pulled the rug just below him.
Burns’ victory in the Charles Schwab Challenge is his fourth in his last 28 starts. Sure in the top 10 of the official world golf rankings, it’s time we stopped treating Burns as an emerging and rather as a star who has come to stay.