Maverick McNealy earns first PGA Tour victory
29-year-old wins RSM Classic in dramatic fashion
At long last, Maverick McNealy’s search for a PGA Tour victory has come to an end.
In his 142nd career PGA Tour start, and on the final day of the 2024 season, the 29-year-old won the 2024 RSM Classic in thrilling fashion, making birdie on the final hole to win by one stroke.
“I’ve hit a putt on a putting green to win a golf tournament in my mind thousands and thousands of times,” McNealy said. “It was almost like déjà vu standing over that last one and it came off perfect. I’m at a loss for words.”
McNealy entered Sunday’s final round in a tie for the lead at -14, in large part to a career-best -8 (62) in round one. Two birdies on the front nine helped Maverick maintain a one-shot lead at the turn, but a tough stretch on the back nine saw Maverick down one through 16. As both leaders in front of him made bogey on 18, McNealy found himself back in a share of the lead with one hole to play. One of the best six irons of his life and a short birdie putt later, Maverick could finally exhale as a PGA Tour champion.
“I give so much credit to (Maverick’s caddie and brother) Scout,” McNealy said. “I was struggling on the back nine. Things weren’t coming off quite as clean and he had me busting a gut laughing before I hit that birdie putt on 17. That’s just something I didn’t think was possible and it’s something I’m so grateful that he was there for. It settled me down a little bit. He kept reminding me the same swing keys, told me to compress that 6-iron that came off perfect.”
It’s been quite the journey for McNealy on the PGA Tour. After earning his Tour card in 2019, McNealy endured a bit of a bumpy ride, especially over the last two years battling a myriad of injuries that cut his seasons short. All the adversity and the hard work it’s taken to get back makes this one even sweeter, and McNealy was effusive in crediting his support system.
“My family is here. My whole team is watching. I’m just so happy that I got one for them,” McNealy said. “I have an amazing group of individuals – ‘Team Mav.’ I’ve worked so hard for seven years and they have been nothing but unbelievable. Everyone that works for me – my coaches and trainers, it’s an individual sport but it’s a team sport and they’ve done everything right. I haven’t had a win to show for it and I’m just so so glad that we can all celebrate together because they deserve it so much."
Beyond the significance of his first PGA Tour victory, the win has major implications for Maverick’s 2025 season. As a FedEx Cup fall event winner, McNealy will receive 500 FedExCup Points, Official World Golf Ranking points and a two-year winner’s exemption. He will also be eligible for The Sentry, THE PLAYERS Championship, as well as eligibility into major championships that invite PGA TOUR winners, including the 2025 Masters.
Congratulations, Mav!!!