Sam Burns sends a Scottie Scheffler message after huge first round at the Masters

The Masters Tournament has a loaded leaderboard after the first round, with conditions getting firm and fast as the day went on. By the end of the first round, the top of the leaderboard was littered with major champions such as Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Reed and more.

However, most of them are looking up at American Sam Burns, who set the pace on Thursday morning with a 5-under 67. He now sits in a tie for the lead with McIlroy through 18 holes and is looking to contend for his first green jacket.

Burns, who is good friends with Scheffler, noted that he’s taking some inspiration from the two-time Masters champion heading into the first major of 2026.

"I've played a lot of golf with Scottie here and watched him have a lot of success here… so, trying to borrow a little of that from him."

Sam Burns, T-1 after a first-round 67, is taking notes from his close friend and two-time Masters champion pic.twitter.com/c0fR1e6GNd

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) April 10, 2026

“I’ve played a lot of golf with Scottie here and watched him have a lot of success here,” Burns said. “So, trying to borrow a little of that from him.”

Burns was Scheffler-esque during the first round on Thursday, starting his round with an eagle on the par-5 second hole. After dropping a shot at the sixth, Burns recovered with four more birdies to post the best round of the day that McIlroy would later match.

Burns and McIlroy, the defending champion, are two shots clear of a small pack of players at 3-under par. Scheffler is among a bigger group at 2-under after a solid opening round in the fast conditions in the afternoon.

Scheffler started his round hot, racing out to a 3-under start in the first three holes thanks to an eagle on the second. However, he played the final 15 holes in 1-over par as the course firmed up.

Burns notably contended for the title at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, eventually won by J.J. Spaun. Burns had the lead during that final round but eventually fell behind in his first real chance at getting his hands on a major title.

That experience, as well as drawing from Scheffler, should help the LSU alum stay composed during his push for the green jacket. Burns will tee off for his second round at 12:32 p.m. EST on Friday.

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