Sam Burns out of PGA Championship with back injury

Sam Burns' run of excellent finishes came to a screeching halt on Thursday. 

Per Ryan Lavner of Golf Channel, Burns withdrew from the PGA Championship during the opening round of play because of a back injury. He struggled during his first nine and posted a 4-over 41 -- including a double bogey and a triple -- before calling it a day and a weekend. 

Brett Falkoff, Burns' manager, said the 24-year-old aggravated a previous injury when he slipped on the fifth tee. Falkoff added Burns may be out at least a few weeks while he rests this latest setback. 

Burns won the Valspar Championship for his first career PGA Tour title in early May and then finished second at the AT&T Byron Nelson last weekend. He began Thursday morning fifth in the FedEx Cup standings. 

"You just hope and practice so hard to have that opportunity," Burns said after winning the Valspar Championship, according to the PGA website. "After I had the bunker shot on 18, I just got choked up thinking about that moment and thinking, 'You wanted to have that opportunity so bad for so long and now you do.' It was really special for me."