Sam Burns defeats Davis Riley in playoff to defend title at 2022 Valspar Championship

Burns defended his title with a birdie putt from distance on the second playoff hole.

Sam Burns got bit by the Snake Pit but that didn’t poison his 2022 Valspar Championship.

The 25-year-old defended his title at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course, claiming the Valspar Championship via a playoff with rookie Davis Riley after the pair each finished at 17 under. Following a pair of pars on No. 18, Burns claimed the title with a birdie from distance on the second playoff hole, the par-4 16th.

Burns is the fourth two-time winner at the Valspar, and the second to defend his title following Paul Casey in 2018 and 2019 (2020’s event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Last year’s Valspar win was the first of Burns’ PGA Tour career. The Shreveport, Louisiana native went on to win the Sanderson Farms Championship in October, his last victory on Tour prior to this week.

Valspar: Leaderboard | Best photos | PGA Tour Live on ESPN+

Justin Thomas and Matthew NeSmith finished T-3 at 16 under, with Matt Fitzpatrick and Brian Harman rounding out the top five at 14 under.

[vertical-gallery id=778255303]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01es6rjnsp3c84zkm6 player_id=01evcfxp4q8949fs1e image=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]