Who is Sam Burns? Masters leaderboard, score for 2026 tournament contender
Austin CurtrightA 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.
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.
Sam Burns best Masters finish
Burns' best Masters finish came in 2023, when he tied for 29th. He also finished tied for 46th in 2025, and failed to make the cut in 2022 and 2024.
Sam Burns best Masters score
Burns' best score at the Masters came during his tied-for 29th finish in 2023, when he finished 1-over par.
Sam Burns world golf ranking
Burns is the No. 33-ranked golfer in the world, according to the Official World Golf Ranking. He's one spot behind Shane Lowry, and one spot ahead of Kurt Kitayama.
Sam Burns college
Burns played golf at LSU, where he was a two-time All-American and 2017 Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year. The Shreveport, Louisiana, native turned pro in 2017.