LSU's Sam Burns Surges to Masters First-Round Lead

The former Tiger star seeks his first major championship victory.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting Sam Burns' golf swing and approach shots at the Masters, with sharp, overlapping planes of green, blue, and gold representing the Augusta National course.Sam Burns' dynamic play at the Masters puts him in contention for his first major championship victory.Augusta Today

LSU alum Sam Burns fired a 5-under 67 in the first round of the Masters, tying him for the lead with defending champion Rory McIlroy. Burns, known for his stoic demeanor and exceptional golf skills, has yet to capture a major title despite several close calls in recent years. His strong play on Augusta National's par-5 holes was a key factor in his impressive opening-round performance.

Why it matters

Burns' breakthrough at the Masters would be a significant milestone in his career, as he looks to join the ranks of major champions. As one of the rising young stars in golf, a win at Augusta would cement his status as an elite player and potentially propel him to greater success in the game's biggest events.

The details

Burns played the par-5 holes at Augusta in a collective 5-under par, including an eagle on the 585-yard second hole where he hit a 392-yard drive and followed it with a 213-yard 6-iron shot that left him just four feet from the cup. Despite his obvious talent, Burns has yet to win a major championship, having come close at the 2024 British Open and 2025 U.S. Open before faltering on Sunday. However, his stoic demeanor and strong all-around game suggest he has the tools to break through and claim his first major title.

  • Burns fired his 5-under 67 in the first round of the 2026 Masters on Thursday, April 10.
  • In 2024, Burns was one shot off the lead heading into the final round of the British Open at Troon, but shot 80 on Sunday to finish tied for 31st.
  • At the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, Burns led going into the final round but shot 78 and ended up tied for 7th.

The players

Sam Burns

A former LSU All-American golfer who is seeking his first major championship victory. Burns is known for his exceptional ball-striking, putting, and unflappable demeanor on the course.

Rory McIlroy

The defending Masters champion, who is looking to become just the fourth player to win back-to-back green jackets.

Scottie Scheffler

The world's top-ranked golfer and two-time Masters champion, who is a close friend of Sam Burns and has provided him advice on how to close out major championships.

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What they’re saying

“I would say my second shot into 2 was pretty nice.”

— Sam Burns

“When I get back home, you kind of forget about golf a little bit. You get to have the joy of being a dad and just hanging out with him. It's a really good distraction. I'm looking forward to doing that this afternoon.”

— Sam Burns

What’s next

Burns will look to maintain his strong play over the next three rounds as he seeks his first major championship victory. The final round on Sunday will be crucial, as he has struggled to close out big events in the past.

The takeaway

Sam Burns' impressive opening round at the Masters showcases his immense talent and potential to break through and win a major title. While he has come close before, his stoic demeanor and well-rounded game suggest he has the tools to finally capture that elusive first major championship.