At Glance
‣ Peter Malnati won the Valspar Championship, his second PGA Tour title and first since 2015, after benefiting from a “great break” that allowed him a free drop due to his ball’s proximity to a sprinkler head, in accordance with Rule 24-2 of the Rules of Golf.
‣ The free drop was pivotal in maintaining his lead, as it allowed him to avoid a difficult up-and-down, ultimately leading to a par on the 16th hole and setting him up for a birdie on the 17th, which contributed to his two-shot victory over Cameron Young.
‣ Malnati’s victory was an emotional moment, reflecting on the challenges and competitiveness of professional golf, expressing gratitude towards his family and caddie for their support, and highlighting the significance of perseverance and belief in oneself amidst the evolving talent landscape in golf.
Signing off from @ValsparChamp 🤳
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR)
Peter Malnati had a stroke of luck, he’ll tell you himself. He snagged a “great break” on his way to clinching the Valspar Championship. It’s his second PGA Tour title, believe it or not, and his first victory lap since 2015.
Now, let’s not kid ourselves. The story could’ve taken a sharp left turn for the American. Especially on that tricky par-4 16th. But, hey, rules are rules. And thanks to them, he got a free drop. Few would argue that the 36-year-old didn’t deserve that bit of luck.
Imagine this: Malnati’s heart probably skipped a beat. His approach, just three holes shy of the finish, flew long. Ended up in some gnarly rough behind the green. From there, he was staring down one of the day’s toughest up-and-downs.
But then, a twist. Reaching his ball, Malnati found his stance compromised by a sprinkler head. Time to play it smart. According to Rule 24-2 in the Rules of Golf, he was in the clear for relief without penalty. Talk about a break!
“I feel this is a great break, and I want you to be here,” he told PGA Tour rules official Steve Rintoul. And just like that, he was back in the game.
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Thanks to the rules, Malnati could take a club length from the nearest point of relief. His drop onto the fringe? Flawless. From about 50 feet out, he two-putted for par.
Then, as if scripted, he birdied the next hole. Meanwhile, Cameron Young, hot on his heels, bogeyed the 72nd. That sealed a two-shot victory for Malnati. His first win since the Sanderson Farms Championship in 2015.
Nine years later, an emotional Malnati reflected on his journey. “I told myself I was going to do my best on every shot,” he said. The pressure was intense. “You wonder if you are ever going to do it again.”
The competition’s fierce, with young talents making the field. “So to have this moment, it feels so amazing,” he shared. His family’s belief, his caddie’s loyalty, it all culminated in this dream job. “It is amazing but it is hard, and this feels so good.”
