RBC CANADIAN OPEN

June 11, 2026

Sam Burns

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course)

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Opening round 64. What did you like about your first round?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, I think it's obviously nice to birdie the first hole. It was a good start. Then I felt like I just played a pretty solid round. Was able to hole some putts when I needed to. Kind of took advantage on some of the scoring holes.

THE MODERATOR: Your history shows you play well at this course. What do you remember especially from last year's final round?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, I mean, I think it starts with getting the ball in the fairway off the tee, which is pretty important in most places. But, yeah, to be able to do that, the rough is a little thicker this year, so I feel like I hit two bad drives and got pretty penalized on both of them, which is unfortunate.

I think you got to get the ball in the fairway and take advantage when you have scoring clubs in your hand, and hole some putts.

Q. When you come back to a course where you have played well before, how much confidence do you start the tournament with?

SAM BURNS: I don't think it really makes that big of a difference. You know, at the end of the day, regardless of where you're playing, I think you just have to go execute.

Sure, I think it's nice to have some good memories maybe before the tournament starts, but you know, when you tee it up, you have to be able to execute and hit the shots that the golf course requires.

Q. How difficult was the wind today, if at all, for you?

SAM BURNS: It was. Yeah, I think it was challenging, especially some of the shorter holes into the wind. I feel like we hit multiple 9-irons from 125, 130 yards, taking 30 to 40 yards off. Got to be able to control the spin.

Q. When you do come back here after the way last year ended and that heartbreak, are you able to put the sort of negative stuff our your mind and just think about, well, how well I performed here last year?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, I think honestly for me there wasn't really any negative. I started the day pretty far back and played a really good round of golf and was able to sneak into a playoff.

I had a chance to hole that putt and didn't, but that's the way it goes sometimes. So I really just kind of took the positives. I feel like my game was in a good spot, and try to do the same again this year.

Q. Do you think that putting is the biggest difference out here? 7,400, it's a long course. You have to drive it long. Is putting more of a factor, do you think?

SAM BURNS: It's hard to really say if it's the difference-maker. You know, I think it's important to -- there's always a few kind of key putts you have throughout a round, whether it's to keep the momentum going or save a shot here or there.

Yeah, I think it can be the difference for some rounds, but generally I would say, you know, it is important to make putts.

Q. When you start off so nicely like this in the afternoon on Thursday, how nice is it to be going out in the morning on Friday and be able to kind of follow up quickly?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, I mean, I think the morning has different challenges. I wouldn't say it's necessarily easier or harder.

Typically in the morning there's moisture on the golf ball, which is a different challenge in itself. The golf course plays a little bit longer. The rough is thicker usually just with the moisture.

I think sometimes it can play easier, sometimes more difficult. At the end of the day, you've got to go out and play well.