Before they turned pro: Sam Burns

Less than five years after turning pro, Sam Burns now has three PGA Tour victories. Burns took the Valspar Championship in a playoff over Davis Riley, successfully defending the title he won last year at Innisbrook, which was also his maiden tour victory.

Just as when they all were amateurs, players like Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa and Matthew Wolff have gotten a lot more of the attention than Burns as the newest wave of young stars have established themselves on the PGA Tour.

But Burns' ascent has been as quiet and steady as the demeanor he displays on the course. A T6 finish in the Barbasol Championship as an amateur in 2017 was the biggest clue that he was ready for the jump, but there were many others. Burns was overlooked for the 2017 Walker Cup team, no doubt fuel for his subsequent rise.


Here are a few of the stories from our coverage of Sam Burns the amateur:

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  Former World #1 Amateur Sam Burns Signs With Callaway
  Oct 23, 2017 - The 21-year-old won four times last year for LSU; he makes his professional debut this week
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  Sam Burns finishes PGA Tour's Barbasol Championship T6
  Jul 23, 2017 - The Shreveport, LA native showed that he is ready to enter the professional ranks in September
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  Sam Burns makes PGA Tour Barbasol Championship Cut
  Jul 21, 2017 - Besides Burns the other amateurs in the field include S.M. Lee, a sophomore at Dalton State, and Auburn junior Trace Crowe
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  LSU's Sam Burns among Jack Nicklaus Award Winners
  Jun 01, 2017 - Just after announcing that he was turning professional Sam Burns was named the Division I Jack Nicklaus Award winner
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  NCAA Southeast Regional: Burns, LSU Go Wire-to-Wire
  May 17, 2017 - Sam Burns and LSU grind out a win, while Jacksonville and Northwestern play off for the final spot into the NCAAs
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  NCAA Southeast Regional: Burns, LSU Maintain Leads
  May 16, 2017 - Sam Burns and the LSU Tigers struggled in round two but maintain a seven shot lead over Duke
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  NCAA Southeast Regional: Burns, LSU Go Low at Home
  May 15, 2017 - Led by Sam Burns, LSU shoots 12-under on its home course for a six-shot lead over Virginia
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  Sam Burns Medals, Kent State cruises to Louisiana Classics Victory
  Feb 28, 2017 - LSU sophomore Sam Burns picked up his third win of the season, Kent State picks up a signature victory
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  Sam Burns of LSU earns November SGA Amateur of Month
  Dec 12, 2016 - Burns highlighted his month of November with a win at the College All-America Classic
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  LSU's Sam Burns captures the College All-America Classic
  Nov 13, 2016 - Burns closed with a 5-under 66 to overcome a one shot deficit at the start of the day
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  PGA Junior: Kristen Gillman, Sam Burns victorious in Texas
  Aug 01, 2014 - Gillman breaks scoring record by five, Burns wins by two over Gordon Neale