PGA Tour star Sam Burns mimics iconic Lion King scene with Scottie Scheffler’s baby son Bennett while world No. 1 tees off at FedEx Championship

In a charming and memorable moment at the FedEx Championship, PGA Tour star Sam Burns brought a touch of whimsy to the tournament by mimicking a classic scene from Disney’s “The Lion King” with Scottie Scheffler’s three-month-old son, Bennett. The incident, which occurred on a dramatic Saturday afternoon, has since gained widespread attention on social media.

 

The scene unfolded at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, where the world No. 1 golfer, Scottie Scheffler, was preparing for his tee-off. While Scheffler was focused on his game, Burns decided to have a bit of fun. In a playful nod to the iconic moment from “The Lion King,” where Rafiki holds Simba aloft for the animal kingdom to see, Burns lifted baby Bennett in a similar fashion. This lighthearted gesture, captured on camera, was broadcasted during the tournament and quickly went viral, bringing smiles to fans and fellow players alike.

 

As of early Saturday afternoon, the leaderboard was taking shape with some intriguing positions. Scheffler, who is currently ranked as the world’s No. 1 golfer, was tied for 7th place. He was level with Tony Finau and Viktor Hovland, each with a score of -8 par through the first two rounds of play. In contrast, Sam Burns was enjoying a stellar performance, holding a tie for second place alongside Denny McCarthy. Both Burns and McCarthy had impressive scores of -10 par, with Burns shooting a remarkable 63.

 

At the top of the leaderboard was Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who had managed to secure the lead with a score of -11 par, just one stroke ahead of Burns. Scheffler had demonstrated resilience and skill, carding three late birdies in a round of 65, which left him at nine-under-par. This position placed him one stroke ahead of Justin Rose, who had shot a second consecutive 66, and American golfer Nick Dunlap.

 

Scheffler remarked on his performance, “It’s just nice to have a clean card. No bogeys. I did a good job of having some nice up-and-downs to keep the momentum and the round going.” His statement reflected his satisfaction with maintaining a steady game amidst the competitive field.

 

In terms of other notable performances, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre was sharing the 7th place with Viktor Hovland after a strong round of 66. English golfers Matt Fitzpatrick and Aaron Rai were positioned slightly further back, each trailing by two shots. They were followed closely by Tommy Fleetwood.

 

Unfortunately, not all top golfers were having the best day. Rory McIlroy struggled significantly, unable to recover from an early double bogey. He finished the second round with a score of 73, leaving him 12 shots off the leading pace. Similarly, Jordan Spieth faced difficulties on the course, suffering two double bogeys on par threes during a round of 75. Spieth’s performance raised concerns about his ability to make the cut for the next stage of the event.

 

Overall, the FedEx Championship continues to deliver excitement and drama as the players compete for top positions, with moments of levity such as Burns’ playful “Lion King” tribute adding a delightful touch to the tournament’s atmosphere.