Maverick McNealy comes up clutch on 18 to seal first PGA Tour title at RSM Classic
America's Maverick McNealy birdies the 18th to clinch a one-shot victory at the RSM Classic and pick up his first PGA Tour title.
Maverick McNealy | -16 |
Daniel Berger | -15 |
Nico Echavarria | -15 |
Luke Clanton (a) | -15 |
Mackenzie Hughes | -14 |
JT Poston | -14 |
Lee Hodges | -14 |
Maverick McNealy birdied the par-4 18th to capture his first PGA Tour title at the RSM Classic at Sea Island GC in Georgia.
McNealy, 29, finally sealed the deal on the PGA Tour in his 134th start as a pro.
The American found himself in a four-way tie for the lead heading down the par-4 18th.
But McNealy closed the door on his rivals when sending a stunning 6-iron down the flag to five feet.
After his playing partner Daniel Berger missed low right with his 20-footer for birdie, it left the stage set for McNealy, who drilled his putt into the heart.
He was immediately congratulated on his first PGA Tour title with his caddie and brother Scout McNealy.
McNealy's wife Maya then ran onto the green for a celebratory kiss.
McNealy started the day in tie for the lead with compatriot Vince Whaley.
They had a two-shot lead over the chasing pack.
McNealy closed with a round of 2-under 68 to finish one shot clear on 16-under par.
Berger, Luke Clanton (a) and Nico Echavarria finished in a three-way tie for second on 15-under par.
JT Poston, Mackenzie Hughes and Lee Hodges finished in a three-way tie for fifth on 14-under par.
Whaley carded a lacklustre 1-over 71 to finish in T8.
Clanton was looking to follow in the footsteps of Nick Dunlap by becoming the second amateur to win on the PGA Tour this season.
He had every chance to do it but missed a costly six footer for par on the 18th, a hole which Echavarria also bogeyed.
McNealy has been tipped for big things in our sport ever since turning professional in 2017.
Just two years before he turned pro, McNealy became the third Stanford University player to win the Haskins Award since 1971 (with the others being a certain Tiger Woods and Patrick Rodgers).
All three players won 11 times each at Stanford.
But McNealy is now finally a deserved PGA Tour winner after years of close calls on the circuit.
This week also marked McNealy's 100th cut made on the PGA Tour, something he was very proud to have achieved.
Scroll down to hear from McNealy...
"I'm shaking right now," said McNealy on the 18th green. "I feel like could run a marathon, am just so exhausted from the adrenaline.
"This is so special with my whole family is here, I am so happy to win for them.
"I give so much credit to Scout. I was strugging on the back nine but he got me laughing on the closing holes and that settled me down.
"He just told me to compress that 6-iron on 18, and then I've hit a putt in my mind to win a PGA Tour event a thousand times, but the putt just came off perfect and I'm just at a loss for words."
McNealy was quick to praise his team and family for helping him get over the line on the PGA Tour.
"I had no idea how I would react [to a first win]," he added.
"I didn't want to let myself think that far, but my team around me is so good, they are unbelievable, my coaches, my trainers.
"It's an individual sport but it's a team sport too. My whole family is here and watching, I'm just lost for words."
McNealy now finishes the season 51st on the FedEx Cup standings, which seals his place in two Signature Events on 2025.
The RSM Classic marked the final event of the 2024 PGA Tour season.
The top 125 on the FedEx Cup Fall standings earned their cards for 2025.
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