20 Things You Didn't Know About Sam Burns

Get to know multiple PGA Tour winner and US Ryder Cup player Sam Burns a little bit better

Sam Burns hits a drive during a PGA Tour event
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sam Burns has been a PGA Tour player since 2019, and has established himself as one of the world's top players. The American enjoyed a successful amateur career before turning professional in 2017. In 2023, he made his debut for the USA in the Ryder Cup in Rome.

Get to know Burns a little bit better with these 20 facts…

1. Samuel Holland Burns was born on the 23rd July 1996 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

2. The American went to Calvary Baptist Academy and then Louisiana State University.

3. Burns was a three-time individual state champion and was named AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year in 2014.

4. In his sophomore season, he won four tournaments in 15 collegiate starts, and was named the NCAA Division I Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year for the 2016-17 season.

5. Burns' hobbies include fishing, hunting and watching American football.

6. The American made his PGA Tour debut at the Sanderson Farms Championship in 2017, where he finished T43.

7. In 2018, playing the Honda Classic on a sponsor's exemption, Burns was paired with Tiger Woods in the final round. He actually beat Woods on the day by two shots.

8. In his debut year on the Korn Ferry Tour, Burns won the Savannah Golf Championship and sealed his spot on the PGA Tour.

9. His best season on Tour so far was 2021-22, in which he won three times at the Valspar Championship, Sanderson Farms Championship and Charles Schwab Challenge.

sam burns valspar championship trophy

(Image credit: Getty Images)

10. In December 2019, Burns married his lifelong partner, Caroline Campbell.

11. In 2019, Burns played a round with President Donald Trump.

12. Burns has multiple sponsors, including Callaway, Adidas, Netjets and Mastercard. The American has a full Callaway bag, including an Odyssey putter.

13. His favorite golf memory was watching David Toms win the 2011 Crowne Plaza Invitational.

14. He is a strong driver of the ball, finishing in the top 10 in driving distance for his 2019-2020 season. He averaged 311.4 yards in 2023.

15. He made his Ryder Cup debut in 2023 as one of Zach Johnson’s six captain picks, representing the USA in their loss to Europe in Rome. He also represented America in the 2022 Presidents Cup.

16. Burns is close friends with 2022 Masters champ Scottie Scheffler, whom he regularly stays with on tour along with their wives. They have known each other since they were teenagers. 

17. His caddie is Travis Perkins, a former professional who himself had a short spell on the PGA Tour. 

18. He has earned over $21 million on the PGA Tour. 

19. Burns is a Christian. The first thing listed in Burns’ X/Twitter and Instagram bios is “Christ’s Follower”. 

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20. His best finish at a Major was a T20 at the 2022 PGA Championship.

How far does Sam Burns hit the ball?

Burns is one of the stronger drivers on tour, averaging 311.4 yards in 2023. He is also an elite ball striker, finishing in the top 40 in Strokes Gained Total on tour in the last three years.

Sam Burns career earnings

Burns has won over $21 million in prize money over the course of his career. He has won five times since joining the PGA Tour. 

Sam Tremlett
E-commerce Editor

A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly. 

Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes. 

He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for.


Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel. 

He also oversees all Tour player content as well so if you need to know what clubs Tiger or Rory has in play, Sam is the person to ask. 

Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five. 


Sam's What's In The Bag: 

Driver: Titleist TS3 (9 degrees) 

Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees) 

Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2 

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚ 

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Infinity NEXT%/Cuater The Ringer

With contributions from