FEDEX ST. JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP

August 15, 2026

Sam Burns

TPC Southwind

Quick Quotes

Q. Round of 62. How do you feel?

SAM BURNS: Good. Ready to get in the AC for sure, but yeah, I played nice today. I think I played nice the first two rounds, just didn't quite get in the fairway enough and didn't give myself enough looks, but today I was able to do that and make some putts.

Q. Bogey-free, what is the attack plan like? You've got to play out of the fairway?

SAM BURNS: I was just saying Scottie is obviously playing great, as he always does. He's not going to lay down. He's going to play great tomorrow. So you're going to have to go out there and put a really good round together and see if you can catch him.

Q. Speaking of Scottie, are you staying with him this week? I know you've stayed with him in the past at majors.

SAM BURNS: We're not this week, no.

Q. 5-under on the first nine today. Played the first nine even in the first two rounds. What was the biggest difference for you in that area today?

SAM BURNS: I didn't hit the water on 3 today, so that's pretty helpful. Really just gave myself a few more chances today, and I was able to convert. That was really the biggest difference.

Q. One of the past players with one of the strongest records here was David Toms. I'd be curious to hear you speak to the influence he may have had on you. I know it's a totally different course than when he played, but I know you have that connection.

SAM BURNS: Obviously it's a difficult driving golf course, and he's one of the straightest hitters of the golf ball of all time. It's not surprising to hear that.

I grew up practicing with him a lot and watched him hit a lot of golf balls. It was always amazing how straight he could hit it and how well he controlled his distance. That's a pretty good combination for this golf course.

Q. There's a pretty strong connection between Shreveport and St. Jude over the years. What would that element add to winning this tournament?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, it would be really special. St. Jude has had such an impact on so many people, so many communities around the country, especially Shreveport, and it's just so amazing what they do. So it's great for us to be here and have them support this golf tournament. We always love coming here.

Q. Another opportunity for you to be here in contention at Memphis, just like a couple years ago. What about this course suits your game so well?

SAM BURNS: I think I'm pretty familiar with the grass type. Bermuda is kind of what I grew up on. Obviously zoysia fairways, but, yeah, I like the way -- the layout of it. You get some really tricky holes and some quirky tee shots here and there.

It's a really good golf course, and you have to be in control of your ball.

Q. Why were you able to shoot what you did today?

SAM BURNS: Why was I able to shoot what I did today? Well, the last putt I made, it was for 62, so that was how I did it (laughter).

Q. Is it just as simple as making putts?

SAM BURNS: I think yesterday I didn't quite get in the fairway enough. So it's obviously a really quite difficult golf course to play from the rough.

I was telling somebody you feel like this golf course you get in the fairway a bunch and you feel like you can make a bunch of birdies. You get in the rough and you feel like you're scrambling for par.

If you get in the right spot on the greens, you can give yourself a lot of opportunities. These greens are so good. If you hit some good putts, you can hole a lot of them.

Q. You're kind of in a sweet spot in terms of already set for East Lake. What's in it for you this week outside of winning?

SAM BURNS: I think as a competitor, any time you tee it up, no matter what's on the line, no matter what it is, you want to win. That's why I'm here. I love competing, and I love the competition of what the PGA TOUR has.

Guys are going to bring their best every single week. So I enjoy coming out here and seeing how I stack up against them.

Q. When you look at the two Opens and really a body of work, it's been a pretty good year minus a win. Does it feel almost better than some years where you actually did have a win?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, I would think statistically -- I don't know this for a fact, but I would say this is one of my better statistically-wise years. I think it can be frustrating at times when you don't win and you feel like you're playing really well, but that's the nature of this game. One little thing here or there kind of goes your way and you win, and one thing doesn't and you don't.

I'd say it's a matter of just putting yourself in position as much as possible.