Exclusive: Sam Burns on Travelers Championship, wild U.S. Open, and how to putt more effectively

Fresh off a strong showing at the U.S. Open, Sam Burns comes into the Travelers Championship confident that his game is trending in the right direction.

Burns started the RBC Canadian Open with a 7-under 63 to finish tied for 10th, then shot a 3-over 75 in the second round at the Memorial to finish tied for 15th after failing to challenge Scheffler and others at the top of the leaderboard, and then last week at Pinehurst, Burns shot a 3-under 67 in the final round to finish backdoor into the top 10.

But the former LSU Tiger hadn’t been that consistent in the weeks leading up to that. Burns missed the cut at both the Masters and the PGA Championship and wasn’t at his best at Harbour Town. But during that time, Burns and his wife, Caroline, welcomed a baby boy they named Bear on April 22, the same day Scottie Scheffler won the RBC Heritage, which ended on Monday.

Caring for an 8-week-old baby has kept him busy, and being a new dad isn’t easy, but his son has given him momentum over the past three weeks.

He now returns to New England for a fourth consecutive tournament, looking to win his first PGA Tour title since the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.

SB Nation caught up with Barnes ahead of this week’s Travelers Championship, the final signature event of the season, to talk about his life and the game.

One-on-one interview with Ryder Cup star Sam Burns:

(Editor’s note: This conversation has been lightly edited and revised for readability and clarity.)

Now playing: First question: How is your son, Bear?

Sam Burns: He’s doing great. It’s gone by so quickly. He’s eight weeks old already and it’s been great having him out and about the last few weeks. They’ve been here this week too so it’s been really fun.

PT: That’s great! I’m glad to hear that. You and Scottie Scheffler are obviously very close friends, and your relationships with your kids are similar.

BURNS: Well, we’re actually staying together this week. We stayed together at Pinehurst last week. And we came home after our round last week, sat there with our babies, looked at each other and said, “Wow, life has really changed so quickly.”

PT: With as much traveling as you do, how difficult is it to continue competing at the highest level while also being a new father?

Burns: When I get on the golf course, I think it’s just like any other job. I focus on what I’m trying to do. Of course I miss being at home with my kids, but at the end of the day, I have a job to do this week. I come here these last few days, prepare as best I can, and then when I get home, all I have to do is change a diaper and hold my little one. It’s a little different than what I was doing before, but I definitely wouldn’t want to change it.

PT: What is the current state of the game? US OpenHow are you feeling?

Burns: Well, I’m glad I played well on Sunday. I’ve played well there all week, but it’s always nice to be bogey-free at the U.S. Open. I’m feeling better. I’ve played well the last three weeks, so I’m excited to play this week.

PT: What went right for you in your final round, shooting a 3-under 67?

Barnes: The putting went well. I think as the golf course got more and more difficult it was just a matter of figuring out where you could put the ball around the greens. That was the key for us, especially on Sunday. It was hard to get the ball on the greens so it was really about where you put the ball and dealing with what was in front of you. And we were able to do that really well and manage it.

PT: Have you had a chance to see any crazy finishes?

Burns: I think I watched the last four holes by the time I got home. Yeah, it was pretty amazing to watch. I was excited for Bryson. He’s obviously been playing well all week. But it was a tough finish for Rory. I don’t want any of us, as a competitor or a player, to see Rory end up like that. But he was obviously in a pretty tough spot, rightly so. But I think he’ll bounce back.

Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PT: Speaking of Rory McIlroy, he’s announced he’ll be playing the Genesis Scottish Open next. Do you have plans to play anywhere before then?

Burns: No, I’m actually going to take three weeks off after Travelers, which will be great. (Burns’ next tournament is the British Open at Royal Troon, which starts July 18.)

PT: This golf course, at least from my understanding, is for ball hitters. It requires accuracy. It’s not a bomber’s course, so short game is a must. What are your thoughts on TPC River Highlands?

Barnes: Some of the changes that they made, I saw it for the first time on Tuesday, and I think they were good changes. The holes are better. On the 12th hole, you can’t hit it all the way to the bottom of the fairway anymore, so the bunkers are more of an issue. Yeah, I think the changes that they made were good changes. The green on the 11th hole is a little smaller. So you have to hit your irons accurately. And you have to hit it well and be prepared, but it’s all about getting into good position on the green.

PT: Commissioner Jay Monahan announced that the Travelers Championship will be the other signature event in 2025.

Burns: Amazing!

PT: From what I’ve heard from the players, this is one of the most popular stops on the tour, is that true?

Burns: Yeah, for sure. I love coming here every year. I had to miss last year unfortunately because of a friend’s wedding, but it’s always fun to come here. The fans are amazing and the community supports this event like no other. I also love eating pizza at Sally’s in New Haven. I went there last night and it was amazing. But yeah, this is always one of the events I look forward to the most.

PT: And Ryder Cup What an amazing experience that was last year!

Burns: It was incredible. I wish the result could have been different, but it was an incredible experience. I had a lot of fun playing in Italy.

Photo by Darren Carroll/PGA of America via Getty Images

PT: Are there any lessons or learnings you’ve picked up from Marco Simone that you’ve applied this year?

Burns: A little bit. I think it’s a lot different playing over there. I’ve played the Presidents Cup in the U.S. and it was a lot different, especially the feeling. I thought everyone was going to be rooting for the other team over there, and that’s exactly how we felt. But it was a lot of fun.

PT: You’re a really good putter, what advice would you give to amateur players on the putting green?

Burns: When I watch amateurs putt in pro-ams, they always ask me to read their putts and tell them the line. But I think, “I saw you make your last three putts. Reading this putt is not going to help you because you’re either going to hit it six feet short or six feet long.” So the most important thing is speed. I see amateurs three-putting and four-putting a lot, and it’s mostly because of speed control. I think it would help if you just take five or ten minutes before or after your round to hit a 20-foot putt. You want to get it in a three-foot circle. Your success rate from 20 feet is already pretty low. Guys try to make a 20-foot putt, but they hit it 10 feet past the hole and it’s a slippery putt. You might get lucky once, but most of the time you’re going to lose a stroke. If you hit it hard, the hole is that much smaller. So speed control is important, and that’s what amateurs should focus on more than anything.

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.