Sam Burns Faces Frustration at Memorial Tournament After Tree Mishaps

Sam Burns might be considering bringing a chainsaw with him as he departs Muirfield Village Golf Club, especially after a troublesome encounter with a tree during the third round of the 2026 Memorial Tournament. This particular tree, which lines the fairway at the 11th hole, proved to be a significant obstacle for Burns, who struck it not once, but twice, resulting in a frustrating double bogey when play resumed on June 7.

When asked if he had ever experienced such misfortune involving a tree in the past, Burns laughed and replied, "No. I guess I need to go cut that tree down. It wasn't very good to me." His unfortunate encounter was highlighted in a dramatic moment as he faced the consequences of his shots.

Adding to his woes, Burns faced a walking bridge on the 17th hole that contributed to his struggles. A critical shot off the bridge led to a high bounce and an awkward position on the back of the green. Although he nearly made a long putt for par, he ultimately ended up with a bogey on that hole, which pushed him out of a five-way tie for the lead.

Despite these setbacks, Burns maintained his composure, stating, "Honestly, this golf course is too difficult to get frustrated. It doesn't do you any good. So, just try to brush it off, move on and focus on the next shot." His overall resilience was evident as he concluded the day tied for fourth place with Tommy Fleetwood at 10-under 278.