Another week, another seven-stroke deficit was wiped out as Sam Burns came out of nowhere to win the 2022 Charles Schwab Challenge. The Louisiana man crossed the leaderboard and made the playoffs with his good friend World No. 1 Scotty Schiffler to shoot in the final under-5 65 on a day when the scoring average at Colonial was nearly 3 overs.
Stopped by a dramatic bird in the first playoff hole, Burns not only captured a tartan jacket and custom ’79 firebird, but most importantly, his third win of the season. Throughout the day – heck, for most of the match – it was almost assumed that Scheffler would have his fifth win in the last four months.
Unfortunately, the world No. 1 could not get any momentum and eventually signed for a 2-over 72. Scheffler was at times flawed – did not see Fairways, misjudged the wind and was generally uncomfortable with greens – but he still resisted. Insisted on giving up. In the end, Burns pulled the carpet from just below him to the right because his poor play and tough conditions combined were too much.
Burns’ victory in the Charles Schwab challenge marks fourth in his last 28 starts. Safely within the top 10 in the official world golf rankings, it is time to stop considering Burns as a great player.
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