Sam Burns is going to need a new driver.
The No. 33-ranked golfer in the world badly pulled his tee shot on the ninth hole on Saturday at the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind.
He then proceeded to slam his driver onto the ground, snapping the head off the rest of the club.
Sam Burns throws his driver at the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind on Aug. 17, 2024. Screengrab
Per PGA Tour rules, Burns was unable to replace his driver since it wasn’t broken through the normal course of play, meaning he was forced to play the remainder of the round with no driver.
Burns, a Louisiana native, had been trailing leader Hideki Matsuyama by two shots when he arrived to the ninth hole and settled for a double bogey after his errant drive.
Burns entered Sunday’s final round tied for fourth at 10-under, seven strokes behind Matsuyama in the lead.
Sam Burns throws his driver at the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind on Aug. 17, 2024. Screengrab
Sam Burns at the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind on Aug. 17, 2024. AP“I am surprised,” Matsuyama said through his interpreter on Saturday. “But I did play well today.”
Burns, 28, has five PGA Tour wins, though is without any this year.
