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Sam Burns was holding Scottie Scheffler's newborn son (while cheering), and both are near the top of the FedEx St. Jude leaderboard

Aug 16, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Sam Burns walks down the 12 fairway during the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament at TPC Southwind. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Sam Burns walks down the 12 fairway during the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament at TPC Southwind. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Burns and Scottie Scheffler go way back. The two were best buddies as teens and have played competitive golf for what feels like decades with and against each other.

The two have been pickleball partners, and often room together on the road. And at this week's FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, the opening event in the FedEx Cup playoffs, the relationship took a new twist as cameras caught Sam holding Scottie's newborn son, Bennett, and even cheering him on during this second round of play.

Wouldn't you know it, by the end of the day the two players were next to each other in the standings, with Burns in third place at 10 under and Scheffler right behind him at 9 under.

The Burns-Scheffler fun is just some of what you need to know after the second round of play.

Sam Burns gets hot

Pro golfer Sam Burns participates in the pro-am ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn.
Pro golfer Sam Burns participates in the pro-am ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn.

If Burns was looking to get out to a hot start on a warm Memphis day, he certainly followed through. After making birdie on No. 2, he followed with an eagle on No. 3 and another birdie on No. 4. At the turn, Burns posted a 29, and by the end of the day he'd climbed just a shot behind co-leaders Hideki Matsuyama and Denny McCarthy.

When asked if the week had a playoff feel, Burns said yes.

"I think with the temperatures being this hot, you're not getting a ton of fans out walking around. Most people are kind of sitting in the structures, which I would be doing, too, if I was them," Burn said. "But yeah, I think amongst the players, there definitely is a different feel, just knowing how important this week and the next week is, especially for the Tour Championship.

"Yeah, I would say for sure."

Denny McCarthy is playing through pain

Denny McCarthy sizes up a putt on the ninth hole during the second day of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, August 16, 2024.
Denny McCarthy sizes up a putt on the ninth hole during the second day of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Denny McCarthy entered this week with long odds to win the tournament. The 31-year-old is still searching for his first career PGA Tour win despite some impressive performances this season. He notably finished second at the Valero Texas Open in April and had top-7 results at the John Deere Classic and Wells Fargo Championship.

But in the Memphis heat, McCarthy seemed to have little problem, as he enjoyed a wild ride that included a pair of bogeys and nine birdies. He finished with a 63 and is in the lead, tied with Matsuyama.

This despite having to alter his swing while dealing with a torn labrum in his hip.

"I don't want to divulge too much. It's bothering me, and I've been able to do enough the last few days to push through it. Like I said, the heat helps it. Yeah, looking forward to a challenge on the weekend."

Thunderstorms expected on Saturday

Fans watch as Xander Schauffele tees off on the first hole during the second day of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, August 16, 2024.
Fans watch as Xander Schauffele tees off on the first hole during the second day of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Thunderstorms are expected to strike the Memphis area early Saturday, PGA Tour officials announced Friday afternoon. In light of the inclement forecast, players will begin teeing off at approximately 9:45 a.m. Saturday.

Rounds one and two featured the 70-player field teeing off in pairs every 10 minutes beginning at 7:20 a.m. on the first tee. On Saturday, players (in groups of three) will tee off simultaneously on Nos. 1 and 10 from 9:45-11:45 a.m.

Notable names

Max Homa sizes up a putt on the ninth hole during the second day of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, August 16, 2024.
Max Homa sizes up a putt on the ninth hole during the second day of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Let’s take a look at where several big names stand after the opening two rounds and what they’re projected to be in the FedEx Cup Standings.

Xander Schauffele: 5 under, 2

Justin Thomas: 3 under, 26

Wyndham Clark: 3 under, 7

Rory McIlroy: 1 over, 5

Collin Morikawa: 1 under, 6

Jordan Spieth: 3 over, 67

Will Zalatoris: 6 under, 33

Max Homa: 7 over, 41

Viktor Hovland: 7 under, 43

Tom Kim: 5 under, 36

Saturday's tee times

Here's a look at where the tee times for Saturday's third round.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Sam Burns was holding Scottie Scheffler's newborn son (while cheering), and both are near the top of the FedEx St. Jude leaderboard