On Father’s Day 2025, PGA Tour player Sam Burns approached the final round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club with a chance to win his first major championship. Alongside him at the course was his wife, Caroline Burns, and their one-year-old son, Bear. Burns and fellow tour golfer Scottie Scheffler have developed a close friendship, strengthened by becoming fathers within weeks of each other. Bear was born in April 2024, followed by Scheffler’s son Bennett in May. The two families often travel and compete together, sharing moments such as the 2025 Masters Par 3 Tournament where their sons were present.
Burns spoke openly about how parenthood has reshaped his daily life and mindset as he contended for a major win.
Sam Burns Reflects on Fatherhood and Its Impact on His Life and Career
Following the third round at the U.S. Open on June 14, Burns detailed his experience balancing competitive golf and fatherhood while spending time with his son and close friend Scheffler. The two families regularly stay together during tournaments, reinforcing their bond beyond the sport.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely life changing, for sure. I think our nights at home and days at home look a lot different now. We were joking with the Schefflers yesterday afternoon, we were out in the yard, and the boys, no clothes on, just playing in the little splash pad, having the time of their lives,”
Burns said.
“We were like, ‘What did we do before that?’ I mean, we’re like, ‘Well, we probably just sat around and watched shows and it was quiet.’ But it’s so much fun.”
—Sam Burns
He added,
“There’s nothing better for me getting home after a long day and seeing Bear and Caroline and getting to hang out with them and just, I enjoy it so much, and to have a chance to win on Father’s Day would be really cool.”
—Sam Burns
In an interview with Golf.com, Burns described the value he finds in his friendship with Scheffler and the support they offer one another as fathers and athletes.
“We obviously spend a lot of time together and being able to talk to him and just kind of learn from him and ask him questions, it’s been really cool. Watching him do that and watching him have success, it brings me a lot of joy, and him and his wife Meredith and Bennett, they’re just an unbelievable family, and it’s been such a joy to watch how they steward that success to others around them, and just the amount of respect that we have for them is very high.”
—Sam Burns
The Burns Family’s Louisiana Roots and Commitment to Home
Sam Burns has strong ties to Louisiana where he and his wife Caroline, who have been married since 2019, grew up and continue to reside. Burns emphasized how important it is for him to raise his family in their home state instead of relocating to larger cities despite the frequent travel on the PGA Tour.
“I think for me this is home. I don’t really have a desire to go anywhere else. I have a lot of family in Louisiana. My wife’s from here. And I just enjoy it. I love coming back to where we live. It’s very relaxing,”
Burns shared at the Zurich Classic in 2023.
“We get to go to a lot of cool places on the road and see a lot of big cities, but I don’t really have a desire to live in one. So we just really enjoy it. We like the slower pace.”
—Sam Burns
Supporting Burns throughout his golf journey has been his own father, Todd Burns. Reflecting on his son’s career, Todd expressed how gratifying the experience has been.
“It’s been a journey, but when it’s fun, it’s not really like work,”
Todd Burns said in a 2015 interview with the Shreveport Times.
“It’s exciting. I’ve enjoyed the journey. For all your children, you want them to have as great a life as they can. If they enjoy what they do, and they have a great time doing it, it makes it that much better.”
—Todd Burns
Fatherhood’s Role in Shaping Their Lives Moving Forward
The shared experience of becoming new fathers has strengthened the friendship between Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns as they navigate the demands of professional golf and parenthood. Their families often travel together to tournaments, and both athletes consistently express deep appreciation for the balance their children bring to their lives. Burns’s attempt to claim his first major championship on Father’s Day 2025 added a poignant dimension to his pursuit of sporting success.
As they continue their careers on the PGA Tour, the support and understanding each shares as fathers may influence how they approach competition and life off the course. Their story highlights how personal milestones like parenthood can create powerful connections between athletes, fostering not only camaraderie but also resilience as they face the challenges ahead.