Masters Co-Leader Sam Burns and Scottie Scheffler's Friendship Tested by Ryder Cup Drama
Sam Burns enters the second round of the Masters Tournament sharing the lead with Rory McIlroy, both PGA Tour stars sitting comfortably at five under par as the competition at Augusta National unfolds. Meanwhile, his lifelong friend and fellow competitor Scottie Scheffler trails closely behind, their bond having weathered a significant test years earlier.
A Friendship Forged in Youth and Tested by Competition
Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns have been best friends since their teenage years, a relationship that has paralleled their rapid ascent to golfing superstardom. Their connection is so profound that Burns served as the best man at Scheffler's wedding to Meredith Scudder in late 2020. Over time, their families have grown exceptionally close, frequently sharing rental homes during tournaments, vacationing together, and enjoying intimate couples' game nights.
The Awkward Incident That Threatened Everything
Five years ago, however, this thick-as-thieves friendship faced a serious challenge. Both golfers were vying for the final spot on the United States Ryder Cup team when captain Steve Stricker made the controversial decision to select Scheffler over Burns. This was particularly awkward given that, at the time, Scheffler had yet to secure a PGA Tour victory, while Burns already boasted five titles to his name.
Rather than allowing the situation to fester and potentially destroy their relationship, Scheffler and his wife Meredith took the initiative. They placed a lengthy, emotionally charged phone call to Burns and his wife Caroline, a conversation that lasted over an hour as all parties openly expressed their feelings.
"That can ruin a friendship if it's not something that's talked about," Scheffler later reflected on the importance of addressing the tension directly.
Burns echoed this sentiment, adding: "Me, Caroline, Scottie and Meredith spent a long time on a phone call with these weird emotions of like, 'Man, I am really sad but also happy for him.' If it had been someone else, I would have been more disappointed that I wasn't on the team."
From Tension to Triumph and Unwavering Support
Stricker's decision ultimately proved fruitful for Team USA. Scheffler delivered a standout performance at the Ryder Cup, defeating then world number one Jon Rahm as the American team soared to victory. Since that pivotal moment, Scheffler's career has skyrocketed, amassing two Masters titles, a PGA Championship, and an Open Championship victory. He has maintained the top position in the Official World Golf Ranking since May 2023.
Remarkably, Scheffler's meteoric rise has not strained his friendship with Burns in the slightest. The two continue to support each other both on and off the course.
"The conversation in the morning will be that we'll just hang out, there will be our two little kids running around. There's nothing crazy, there's not much to say," Scheffler described their pre-tournament routine ahead of last year's US Open. "Sam has been preparing for moments like this for a long time and he's put himself into a position to win the golf tournament. He's going to go out and try to execute."
Burns, for his part, has expressed immense admiration for his friend's character as much as his skill. "Scottie is obviously an incredible player, I don't think I need to say that," Burns noted last year. "As good of a player he is, he's an even better guy and I think that's what makes it really special to watch, you want to root for someone like that. He's an easy guy to root for."
Current Masters Standings and Tournament Outlook
As the 2026 Masters progresses, Burns currently holds a slight advantage over Scheffler. After the first round, Burns is tied for first place with defending champion Rory McIlroy, both having carded impressive scores of five under par on Thursday. Scheffler, meanwhile, posted a solid two under par, placing him in a tie for sixth alongside notable players Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele, and Justin Rose.
The second round tee times see Scheffler scheduled to begin at 3:19 PM BST alongside Robert MacIntyre and Gary Woodland. Burns is set to start his round later at 5:23 PM BST, paired with Cameron Smith and Jake Knapp. Their enduring friendship now provides a compelling subplot to the high-stakes drama unfolding at Augusta National.
