BMW CHAMPIONSHIP

August 26, 2021

Sam Burns

Caves Valley Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Sam, eight birdies today. Really exciting way to start the BMW Championship. What are your takeaways from today?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, I think I've said this before, we had a good plan coming into today. Travis and I talked about it. Really just it was nice being able to touch it in the fairway and then just trying to put it in the right spot on the green. I think that's the biggest thing around this place is the greens are big but you can have 20 feet and still have it breaking six feet, so trying to avoid those areas, give ourselves the easiest putt, and we were able to make them.

Q. You said Travis arrived here early, was working really hard in terms of getting you details for a new golf course. What did he discover in that prep work?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, so he was out here early Tuesday morning, and every week he's very intentional about seeing stuff around the golf course, seeing certain things that I obviously look over. It's just that little stuff about certain tee shots where I'm thinking the right bunker is no good, and he's like, right bunker is totally fine. Like I don't know what hole it was, 14 or 15, I hit it in the right bunker and it was 30 or 40 yards closer from there and you're hitting a 9-iron in. If you hit it in the left rough you're hitting probably a 6-iron out of the rough. Just little stuff like that that he's done is really helpful.

Q. You shot 64, I believe, in four of your last eight rounds. What's the key for you to be able to keep that consistency for the entire week?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, I think obviously I wish I could shoot 64 every day, but that just doesn't happen. I think the biggest thing for me, especially this week with it hot, just being rested, hydrated and focused out there. I think that's the challenge.

Just getting maybe a nap this afternoon, and we'll have a game plan for tomorrow.

Q. You entered this week as the TOUR leader in leads or co-leads after particular rounds. What have you noticed kind of going to sleep with a lead now compared to maybe your first one of the season in terms of just how you kind of respond to --

SAM BURNS: Yeah, I think the biggest thing for us is just seeing how much we can get in contention. I think that's a byproduct of, one, having a good game plan for the week. Good prep work, I think that's the biggest thing for me is I feel like if I prepare well then I should play well.

Just trying to make sure I do all the right things leading up to the tournament and then go from there.

Q. Do you notice you're more comfortable now with leads?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, I would say I've done a better job of just trying to stick to what we have in place that week for the week, not getting away from that no matter what and just trying to put ourselves in the right position.

Q. I know we're playing the FedExCup here, but is the Ryder Cup on your mind, as well?

SAM BURNS: I'm just focused on tomorrow, having a good plan for tomorrow. I would do anything to be on that team. If I had the opportunity, that would be incredible.

Q. Not to bring up bad memories or anything, but obviously your name --

SAM BURNS: But to bring it up?

Q. Well, Walker Cup, that was obviously kind of probably the biggest disappointment for you, just not making that team. How do you think that helps you now as a pro, maybe not making this team or maybe not making a team in the future or appreciating it more when you do make it.

SAM BURNS: Yeah, well, I think the Ryder Cup, there's six guys that are guaranteed to make it. If you're not in that six, you know some of that's out of your control. Captain Stricker can go whatever route he wants. So just knowing that, that it's not all necessarily in my control. I'm just going to go out and try to play the best golf I can. If it works out, incredible. If it doesn't, I'll be rooting hard for the team.

Q. To kind of bounce off that, it is sort of a lot of dimensions to this event. A good performance sets you up for next week and obviously it makes an impression to Captain Stricker. So just what is the balance? You talk about you want to take it one round at a time and everything, but how do you do that knowing the various things that are at stake?

SAM BURNS: I think that is a challenge. It's definitely something that you have to navigate, but I think for me just trying to focus -- really just being where my feet are. Right now I'm focused on trying to give you the best answer I can, and after that I'll try to figure out what I want to eat and just continue to do that over and over.

Q. Do you know what you want to eat?

SAM BURNS: I don't. I haven't seen a menu.

Q. The course is playing a couple shots under par. Obviously you took it 8-under. A lot of birdie holes out there, but what was your overall assessment of the course?

SAM BURNS: Yeah, the golf course is great. Caves Valley has done a great job getting this place ready. We're excited to be here. Really cool place. I like the layout. You can see different holes and it's a big property and it's really beautiful looking. It's been a joy to be here.