Peter Malnati took home the Valspar Championship after finishing 12 under in what was his first PGA Tour title in nine years.
Malnati started the final day two strokes behind Keith Mitchell, who was the leader after 54 holes. Malnati’s four-under final round was good enough to put him two shots ahead of runner-up Cameron Young. The win at the Valspar Championship earned Peter Malnati an invite to The Masters for the first time in his career.
After the victory, Malnati will surpass his career-best Official Golf Ranking of 143rd. He is currently the 184th-ranked player in the world.
Peter Malnati Couldn’t Hold Back Tears in his Post-Round Interview at the Valspar Championship
Emotions quickly got to Peter Malnati when he realized he would finish the Valspar Championship on top. With his son on hand, Malnati delivered a post-round interview that illustrated how difficult the life of a PGA journeyman can be.
A passionate Peter Malnati reacts to his second career PGA TOUR win. pic.twitter.com/kt2UBRDfGH
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) March 24, 2024
In his first victory since 2015, Malnati will take home over $1.5 million. Malnati has never earned more than $1.5 million in an entire season. His earnings for the 2024 season have now surpassed the $2 million mark.
Peter Malnati Scratched and Clawed for a Victory at the Valspar Championship
Peter Malnati’s final round did not inspire confidence in a victory early on. He started the day with three pars and a bogey. The bogey came about when he missed a knee-knocker for par on the fourth hole.
Malnati even had one of the worst-looking shots of the day. A topped shot from the middle of the fairway ended up in an alright spot, but it wasn’t pretty.
Peter Malnati hit a stone-cold top today and is still likely going to win his first PGA Tour event since 2015. Golf!
One of us. pic.twitter.com/8k5KZYZYXM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 24, 2024
Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course’s unpredictability lent a hand to Malnati. He was able to keep his cool in the final three holes which are known as the “snake pit.” Malnati started off his snake pit run with a birdie with some assistance from a free drop. Malnati acknowledged how good of a break he got in real-time. He discussed the drop with PGA Tour Vice President of Rules and Officiating Steve Rintoul in an article from the PGA Tour website.
Malnati asked Rintoul in real-time:
I feel this is a great break, and I want you to be here … this is the right way to do it, isn’t it?
Rintoul confirmed.
That’s your nearest point.
Malnati’s approach came to rest near a sprinkler head, which allowed him to take free relief with a lie that allowed him to get up and down for par. He proceeded to birdie 17 to get to 12 under and par, which he followed up with another par to win the Valspar Championship.
Along with a trip to Augusta National, the win earned Malnati full TOUR status through 2026 as well as an automatic bid in 2024’s remaining Signature Events.
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