Sam Burns sends a warning to Scottie Scheffler with a stunning performance in the first round of the Masters
The Masters Tournament is heating up with a fierce battle at the top of the leaderboard after the first round, where the course conditions quickly hardened throughout the day, making the task even more challenging for the world’s top golfers. Among the leaders are legendary names and major champions, such as Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Reed, but the one who truly stole the spotlight was American Sam Burns.
With an impressive round of 5 under par (67 strokes), Burns set the pace early on Thursday morning and finished the day tied for first place with defending champion Rory McIlroy, both at 5 under par after 18 holes. The young American talent is in a prime position to fight for his first green jacket in Augusta, and he did not hesitate to reveal that he is drawing inspiration from his close friend and two-time Masters champion, Scottie Scheffler.
“I’ve played a lot of golf with Scottie here and watched him have a lot of success here… so, trying to borrow a little of that from him,” confessed Burns, making it clear that Scheffler’s experience and success at Augusta serve as motivation for his own campaign.
The inspiration bore fruit early in Burns’ round, as he started with a spectacular eagle on the second par-5 hole, showcasing an aggressive and confident attitude. Despite slipping on the sixth hole with a bogey, the American bounced back with four consecutive birdies, his strongest performance to date, which would only be matched by veteran McIlroy.
In terms of direct competition, Burns and McIlroy stand out with a two-shot lead over a tighter group that is three under par. Scottie Scheffler, for his part, is not far behind, positioned in a larger group at two under par, thanks to a solid round despite the difficult afternoon conditions that made the course faster and more demanding.
Scheffler started his round with a bang, reaching three under par within the first three holes, including an eagle on the second, but found himself losing ground over the next 15 holes, finishing that stretch at one over par, a result of the tough course conditions that were a true test of the players’ endurance and technique.
It is worth remembering that Sam Burns had a bitter yet formative experience at the 2025 US Open in Oakmont, where he led the final round but ultimately ceded the title to J.J. Spaun. This experience, combined with the positive influence of Scheffler, promises to help the LSU athlete maintain the calm and focus necessary to finally secure his much-anticipated major.
Burns is ready to continue his pursuit of the “green jacket” and will be back in action on Friday at 12:32 PM EST for the second round, where everything can change in a tournament that promises strong emotions from start to finish.
The battle is on, and Sam Burns has sent a clear message to Scottie Scheffler and all the other contenders: he is here to win. Who will prevail in Augusta? The answer begins to be written with every shot in this 2026 Masters that promises to make history.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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