OAKMONT, Pa. – Sam Burns has a simple answer to why he’s, statistically, the world’s best putter. “I practice it a lot,” he says. Louisiana Tech head coach Matt Terry can confirm.

Putting is the most fickle element in all of golf. But Sam Burns has mastered it, and it's carrying him at the U.S. Open.

In this edition of Play Smart, we take a look at the key skill that has allowed Sam Burns to become one of the best putters at the U.S. Open.

Sam Burns capped his second-round, 5-under 65 with a 22-foot par save on his final hole. Burns ran into trouble off the tee at the par-4 ninth, his 18th, and took a penalty-stroke drop into the ...

Sam Burns waits to putt on the 18th hole during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Friday, June 13, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) OAKMONT, Pa.

OAKMONT, Pa. -- Sam Burns' chance at a 65 on Friday was in jeopardy after a misfire off the tee. Burns' drive flew left of the fairway into a native area full of knee-high grass.

OAKMONT, Pa. – Sam Burns has a simple answer to why he’s, statistically, the world’s best putter. “I practice it a lot,” he says. Louisiana Tech head coach Matt Terry can confirm. The Bulldogs share a ...