"The Starter" recaps the week gone by in golf. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. In this installment: McCarty Notches First PGA TOUR Win; Bradbury Triumphs in France; Ruoning Yin's Home Town Victory.
Matt McCarty Triumphs in Inaugural Black Desert Championship for First PGA Tour Victory
Yesterday, in an impressive performance at the inaugural Black Desert Championship, Matt McCarty secured his first PGA Tour victory. McCarty, a 26-year-old former Santa Clara University golfer, achieved this milestone in just two starts after gaining a battlefield promotion on the Korn Ferry Tour.
McCarty's victory saw exceptional play throughout the tournament, with rounds of 62, 68, 64, and 67 ending at -23 and a three-shot win. He started the week with a fantastic bogey-free 62 on Thursday, which put him three shots behind Adam Svensson's red-hot opening round of 60. Svensson finished in a tie for 25th, at 13-under par and a whopping ten shots behind McCarty. By the third round, McCarty found himself in the lead by two shots by way of 7-under par 64.
On Sunday, McCarty continued to maintain form. Despite bogeying the 12th, he bounced back with an impressive eagle on the 14th, giving him a comfortable three-stroke lead that he would never relinquish. He went on to finish with a 4-under 67 on the day, which was appropriately capped off with a birdie on the 72nd hole. Runner-up Stephan Jaeger finished the week at 20-under par, three behind McCarty.
Matt McCarty's ascent from the Korn Ferry Tour to the PGA TOUR has been nothing short of meteoric.
His victory is the culmination of a string of three wins in six events on the Korn Ferry Tour, earning him what has been dubbed a 'Battlefield Promotion.' This promotion, earned by winning three times on the Korn Ferry Tour, automatically elevates you to the PGA TOUR. With his recent win, McCarty joins the elite ranks of players like Jason Gore, who, in 2005, won three Korn Ferry events and then claimed victory in a PGA event within the same season.
Stephan Jaeger held the 36-hole lead but had to settle for second with his closing round of 68. Despite a valiant effort down the stretch, including three birdies in the last six holes, he couldn't surpass McCarty. Lucas Glover, who made seven birdies in his first ten holes, tied for third with Kevin Streelman, both recording their best finishes of the season.
Who is Matt McCarty?
26-year-old Matt McCarty was born in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he still resides. He attended Santa Clara University, initially majoring in finance before switching to marketing for graduate school. During his college career, he earned All-West Coast Conference honors three times and reached the quarterfinals in the 2019 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball with teammate Derek Ackerman.
Turning professional in 2021, McCarty first played on the Forme Tour, a short-lived professional tour formed by the PGA TOUR in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its related travel restrictions between the United States and Canada. McCarty's best finish on the Forme was a T5. That same year, Matt also won the Wyoming State Open. In 2022, McCarty joined the Korn Ferry Tour, eventually earning three victories in 2024 within a six-week period. These achievements secured him a spot on the PGA TOUR for 2024.
Dan Bradbury Notches Second DP World Tour Win at FedEx Open de France
Dan Bradbury clinched victory on Sunday at the DP World Tour's FedEx Open de France with a remarkable final-round bogey-free 66 at Le Golf National in Paris. Despite a crowded leaderboard coming into Sunday, Bradbury surged ahead with three consecutive birdies on the back nine, securing the win with a 16-under par 72-hole total of 268.
Bradbury's win was not assured upon finishing his final round.
He had to watch from the scorers' hut as Thorbjørn Olesen and Sam Bairstow, tied with Jeff Winther and Yannik Paul, settled for par on their final hole. With the victory, Bradbury secured a spot at upcoming events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and his excitement about those opportunities was evident: "I guess I'll be looking at flights to Dubai then!"
Without a doubt, it was an intense finish at Le Golf National. Jesper Svensson held a slim lead going into the final round but had to settle for a tie for 27th with a disappointing final round 76.
Thorbjørn Olesen, Sam Bairstow, Jeff Winther, and Yannik Paul all had chances to potentially extend the day past regulation but finished one shot back of Bradbury.
In the end, Bradbury demonstrated great composure, closing out the tournament with his 4-under par 31 on the back nine. His second DP World Tour win is a testament to his growth and resilience since turning professional in 2022.
Ruoning Yin's Home Victory: Helping to Inspire Young Golfers in China
Ruoning Yin grabbed her fourth career LPGA Tour win on Sunday, winning the Buick LPGA Shanghai in her hometown and on a course, the Qizhong Garden Golf Club, on which she is very comfortable. Yin's victory is her first in Shanghai. Winning on home soil is always special; for Yin, Sunday was both an emotional and proud moment.
Yin navigated the course remarkably over the weekend, shooting a 9-under par 63 on Saturday and an 8-under par 64 on Sunday. Her putting was phenomenal, taking only 26 putts each day over the final 36 holes.
Victory in terms of prize money or recognition is great, but the added joy of achieving this milestone at home in front of friends and family is even greater.
Yin's victory in Shanghai is not just a personal triumph but a significant milestone in her career. As Yin's journey continues, she will serve as an inspiration to many young golfers, especially those from her home country, who look up to her as a role model. This victory also underscores the growth of women's golf in China and the potential for more Chinese golfers to follow in her footsteps, ushering in a new era for the sport in the country.
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
