Matt McCarty wins inaugural Black Desert title in second start
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Matt McCarty of the United States celebrates with the trophy after winning the final round of the Black Desert Championship.
PHOTO: AFP
LOS ANGELES – Matt McCarty wasted no time making the most of his rookie season on the PGA Tour, as the newcomer won the inaugural Black Desert Championship on Oct 13 in Ivins, Utah.
The American held the 54-hole lead and had a one-shot edge when he reached the short par-four 14th hole at Black Desert Resort. An incredible tee shot set up a short eagle putt that trebled his lead.
He wrapped up at four-under 67, putting him at a 23-under 261 total for the week, three strokes better than Germany’s Stephan Jager (68).
McCarty, a 26-year-old lefty from Arizona, clinched instant promotion earlier in 2024 by winning three times on the developmental Korn Ferry Tour. His latest victory, in just his second start as a PGA Tour member, earned him a two-year exemption.
He also became the first player since Jason Gore in 2005 to win on the PGA Tour in the same season that they were promoted via the three-victory route.
“It’s been an unbelievable last few months for me. But just to like kind of play well today, that’s all I wanted to do, give myself a chance,” he said. “It was a lot of fun (and a) pretty surreal moment.
“I knew it was going to be tough and a lot of different – more emotion, more nerves than it’s been out there.
“But, yeah, I’m really proud of how I was able to handle myself out there today, and honestly this whole week. I had a lot of fun.”
Early in the final round, Lucas Glover and Germany’s Matti Schmid posted matching nine-under 62s to rocket up the leaderboard. Glover rose to 19 under to apply pressure on McCarty before ultimately tying for third with Kevin Streelman (69). Schmid finished fifth at 18 under.
“If I putted like that the first three days, I probably would’ve been playing a lot later today and been in a whole different position,” Glover said. “So, yeah, just if I’d have putted better the first three days I would’ve been right there. I played identical as today; just made some putts.”
McCarty – who posted a 62 in the first round and a 64 in the third – birdied two holes on the front nine and bogeyed No. 12 before reaching the 310-yard 14th hole. His tee shot took two hops before rolling gently onto the green, stopping inside four feet of the pin.
He then went birdie-bogey-birdie over his final three holes before celebrating with his caddie and family.
The Black Desert Championship, the latest addition to the FedExCup Fall series, was the PGA Tour’s first stop in Utah since 1963. AFP, REUTERS
