Sam Burns clearly has had a fine year as he is competing in the FedEx Cup playoffs, and he is hoping to take advantage of that status by making a a startling run in the FedEx St. Jude Championship. After a couple of ordinary rounds to start the tournament — 73 and 70 — Burns came back to life with a round of three-under 67 on moving day that included a shocking hole in one.

Burns came through with his ace on the par-3 11th hole, and while any hole in one is a memorable shot, Burns had the rarest kind of ace. He flew the ball straight into the hole, and the ball actually stayed inside the circle.

Article Continues Below
More Golf News
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the trophy after winning the men’s singles final against Jannik Sinner of Italy on day 15 at Roland Garros Stadium.
Carlos Alcaraz gets Tiger Woods comparison after epic French Open winChristopher Hennessy ·
Rory McIlroy reacts after playing a bunker shot on the first hole during the second round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament
Rory McIlroy a laughingstock after PGA Tour career worstKendall Capps ·
Rockies news: Colorado's Scottie Scheffler quip after ending 57-series sweep drought
Rockies’ Scottie Scheffler quip after ending 57-series sweep droughtChris Spiering ·
All Active Locker Codes for PGA Tour 2K25
All Active Locker Codes for PGA Tour 2K25Massimo Marchiano ·
Scottie Scheffler holds the trophy on hole No. 18 after the final round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Course on Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Dublin, Ohio.
Wife’s support has Scottie Scheffler choking up after Memorial Tour winNathan Yasis ·
Maja Stark tees off the 1st hole during the final round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament.
Maja Stark fends off Nelly Korda charge to take US Women’s OpenChristopher Hennessy ·

Burns dunked his shot, and it allowed him to get back to even par for the tournament. He is a long way from contending, as Taylor Moore and Lucas Glover were both 14 under par in the late stages of the third round, while Max Homa, Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood were all chasing the leaders with scores of 11 under par.

While it appears that Burns is not going to get back into contention in the first of the three FedEx playoff tournaments, he struck the kind of shot that both he and other players will remember for a long time. Most holes in one either hit the green and take a couple of skips before rolling into the hole, or hit past the hole, check up and roll into the back portion of the hole.

Burns threw the ball into the crowd, and he will certainly buy drinks for his fellow professionals — the traditional celebration for those who score an ace in their competitive round.