Thunderstorms Halt Memorial Third Round with Sam Burns in Contention
The third round of the 2026 Memorial Tournament was suspended Saturday afternoon due to heavy thunderstorms, leaving Sam Burns three shots off the lead heading into a packed Sunday finish. Play stopped at 4:34 p.m. ET and will not resume until 7:30 a.m. ET Sunday, according to PGA Tour officials.
At the time of the suspension, J.T. Poston and Ryan Gerard were tied for the lead at nine under par through five holes. Burns, starting the weekend in third place after a six-under opening 36 holes, had pushed to eight under par through six holes in the third round. He sits alone in third place, one stroke behind the co-leaders.
Eric Cole moved into solo fourth at six under, while Keegan Bradley (four under through 11) and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (four under through 10) are among a group lurking five shots back. Scheffler, who won the Memorial in 2024 and 2025, fired a three-under 33 on the front nine to ignite his chase for a three-peat.
The suspension marks the second weather delay of the day. Play had already been halted for one hour and 40 minutes earlier Saturday morning before the final pairings teed off. With the third round now pushed to Sunday, the tournament faces a compressed finish — players will complete the third round in the morning, followed by a cut to the top 60 and ties, then a final round likely stretching into the evening.
Sam Burns: Quiet Consistency at Jack’s Place
Burns has flown somewhat under the radar this week at Muirfield Village, but his steady play has him in prime position for his seventh PGA Tour victory. The Louisiana native has posted rounds of 68 and 70 in windy, challenging conditions that saw several stars — including Jordan Spieth and Jason Day — miss the cut.
Known for his crisp iron play and clutch putting, Burns has thrived on demanding courses that require precise shot-making. Muirfield Village, Jack Nicklaus’s signature design, fits that mold perfectly. Burns has yet to win the Memorial, but a strong Sunday could change that narrative.
For Burns, a victory here would not only be the biggest of his career given the event’s prestige but also a statement win alongside a handshake from Nicklaus himself — something every player on tour covets.
What’s at Stake: Prestige, Points, and a Handshake from the Golden Bear
The Memorial Tournament is one of the PGA Tour’s most revered stops, boasting a $4 million winner’s check and 700 FedEx Cup points. But beyond the financial rewards, the event offers something money can’t buy: a personal congratulation from Nicklaus, the greatest golfer of all time.
This year’s field is deep despite the early exits of Spieth and Day. World No. 1 Scheffler is seeking an unprecedented three-peat at Muirfield Village, while Poston aims for his fourth career win and first since 2024. Gerard, who won at the 2025 Barracuda Championship, is after his second victory — and his first outside a Modified Stableford format.
Burns enters Sunday with perhaps the best blend of experience and form among the contenders. He has six career wins, including the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, and has shown he can close out tournaments under pressure. If he maintains his current trajectory, he could add a seventh title to a resume that already includes a runner-up finish at the 2025 Masters.
The weather delay adds a layer of unpredictability. Players will need to adjust mentally and physically after an unexpected overnight break, and the jam-packed schedule could test endurance. For Burns, who has dealt with similar disruptions before, staying patient and focused will be key.
Broader Implications: A Sunday Marathon and a Changing of the Guard?
A win for Burns would continue a trend of young American stars rising in the sport. At 29, he represents a generation that includes Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland — players who are consistently challenging for major titles and big events. The Memorial has historically been a launching pad for careers, and a victory here would solidify Burns’ standing among the elite.
For the PGA Tour, the weather-related delay underscores the challenges of scheduling outdoor events in early June, when thunderstorms are common in the Midwest. The tour has faced similar issues at the Memorial before, and Sunday’s marathon format — with players potentially completing 36 holes — will test the tournament’s logistics.
Fans watching at home can tune into Golf Channel from 12:30-2:30 p.m. ET, with CBS taking over from 2:30-6 p.m. ET. Streaming is available via ESPN+ and Paramount+. The extended coverage will give viewers a front-row seat to what promises to be a dramatic conclusion.
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for the Season
The Memorial is often a bellwether for the summer major season. The U.S. Open is just two weeks away, and performances at Muirfield Village frequently carry momentum into Pinehurst or wherever the national championship is held. Burns, if he wins, would enter that event as a legitimate contender.
Meanwhile, the sports world is buzzing with other major developments: World Cup 2026 Power Rankings: Spain Edge France as Favorites in Expanded Field, and the Strait of Hormuz Closure Sparks Plastic Shortages and Global Supply Crisis. But for golf fans, the focus remains squarely on Dublin, Ohio, where Burns and the rest of the field will try to outlast both the weather and each other.
As the sun rises Sunday, the leaderboard is tight, the stakes are high, and Sam Burns has a golden opportunity to etch his name into Memorial lore.
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