MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 10, 2026

Sam Burns

Quick Quotes

Q. Sam, can you talk about the moment things started to turn around for you?

SAM BURNS: I felt like I was playing pretty solid. Just wasn't really holding any putts and just a couple of short ones. I felt like I made good strokes on 11. Hit a good putt. And same thing on 13.

And then was able to hit a nice 4-iron in there on 15 just over the green and got it up and down. To wedge it close on 17 and 18 was obviously nice. It was a good way to finish.

Q. Was it a struggle at any time?

SAM BURNS: I think we just knew the golf course was going to play a little tougher in the afternoon as it firms up, and it certainly did. A little more bounce it. A little crustier on the greens.

Had to be a little more defensive on a couple of the putts that maybe you didn't have to yesterday. So yeah, I think it's shaping up to be a great weekend.

Q. How are you handling the feeling of being close to the leader?

SAM BURNS: It's fun, right? This is what we work so hard for, and this is what we try to prepare for. So at the end of the day, it's fun. Whatever happens is going to happen, so just go out there and enjoy it and play my best.

Q. Birdieing those holes coming in, how important to you -- I know from a leaderboard standpoint it was probably important -- but how important was it for you mentally?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, for sure. I think I feel like it had been kind of an okay day up to that point. Played some pretty solid golf and was able to hit a couple of nice ones close there on 17 and 18, and to be able to hold the putts was a bonus.

Yeah, overall I think it's obviously no matter what round or tournament, to birdie the last couple of holes is a great feeling.

Q. What about your game makes you feel so equipped to deal with these conditions? It's the first time in 15 years we go four days with no rain. What about your game do you feel equipped for that?

SAM BURNS: My caddie Travis is an unbelievable caddie and helps me kind of stay patient out there and try to play to certain spots. I think I kind of touched on it yesterday. I think sometimes you can get a little too aggressive to some of these hole locations, so really trying to hit to certain spots and give ourselves as many looks as possible.