In a tournament that saw the world’s top players vying for supremacy, it was the unassuming Sam Burns who emerged victorious at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Burns, who came into the tournament without much fanfare, proved his mettle on the greens with his deadeye putting and serene demeanor.
Playing against Cameron Young in the final, Burns fell behind early but found another gear with eight birdies in a stretch of 10 holes to clinch the championship. Young, last year’s PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year, had to settle for a runner-up finish, his sixth overall.
The win was Burns’ fifth PGA TOUR victory, but it was his performance in this tournament that will be remembered for years to come. Despite coming in at 52nd in the FedExCup rankings, Burns caught fire with 48 birdies and only 10 bogeys, and one double bogey.
In the semifinals, Burns faced world number one Scottie Scheffler and was on the verge of elimination when Scheffler missed a 4-foot birdie putt, allowing Burns to birdie the third extra hole and advance to the final.
Burns’ victory was all the more remarkable considering it was his tournament debut. But with his newly designed trophy in hand and his name etched in history, Burns has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of golf.
