FORT WORTH, Texas — Players at Colonial Country Club are greeted by the Wall of Champions as they step onto the first tee. You’ll be quick to spot the names of golf legends like Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan on the list of players who mastered the 1936 Perry Maxwell design at least once in their professional careers.
Sam Burns is the latest set to have his name etched on that wall — a custom 1979 Pontiac Firebird and a $1.5 million paycheck also in hand — after coming back from down seven strokes to win the 2022 Charles Schwab Challenge in a sudden-death playoff against world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. It came just a week after Justin Thomas used the same unlikely but successful formula to win the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills.
Burns, sitting at 4 under after three rounds, teed off 85 minutes before Scheffler hit the course as the 54-hole leader. With 90 minutes before a playoff eventually ensued, DataGolf gave Burns less than a 10% chance at victory. But Burns’ starting position ultimately became an advantage as he was able to card a 5-under 65 while those involved in the final tee times saw Colonial’s teeth at full force with winds gusting up to 32 mph during their round.
When Scheffler and Burns arrived at the green of the par-4 18th for the first playoff hole, Burns still had more magic left in the bag despite that extensive cool-down period. Burns, after hitting his approach just long, sunk a 38-foot birdie putt from off the back of the green while Scheffler scored par, giving Burns his fourth PGA Tour win in his last 28 starts.
“I figured with how tough it was going to be playing, that if I went out and posted a really good number, [anything] can happen,” Burns said. “Scottie has been playing unbelievable. I mean, it’s just a really hard golf course with a lot of wind and crazy things happen, and fortunately, I was able to…
Source : cbssports
