Disappointment once again for Theegala as tearful Svensson claims maiden win

Adam Svensson claimed his maiden PGA Tour victory at the RSM Classic as Sahith Theegala was left to rue yet another near miss.

Ben Smith

20 Nov 2022

Disappointment once again for Theegala as tearful Svensson claims maiden win — Disappointment once again for Theegala as tearful Svensson claims maiden…

Canada's Adam Svensson claimed his maiden PGA Tour win at the RSM Classic with a flawless final round performance as Sahith Theegala tasted disappointment once again.

He came up clutch down the stretch at Sea Island Golf Club when it looked as though we were heading for a playoff between Theegala, Svensson, Callum Tarren and Brian Harman.

But in the end, it was Svensson who emerged victorious in chilly Georgia with a bogey-free final round of 6-under 64. He reached a total of 19-under to win by two strokes.

Svensson picked up a cheque for $1,480,000 for his work this week. It really was an exceptional final round as the 28-year-old hit 95 per cent of GIR and gained 3.5 strokes on the field with his putting.

His round contained six birdies and no dropped shots. The pivotal moment came at the par-3 17^th when his birdie putt just about found the cup, giving him a two-stroke cushion playing the 72^nd hole.

"That thing never looked like dropping," said Trevor Immelman on CBS. This was Svensson's 70^th career start on the PGA Tour.

He previously admitted that he didn't work hard enough when he lost his tour card and had to regain his playing rights via the Korn Ferry Tour.

A tearful Svensson said two years ago he made the decision to commit properly to the game because he was on the verge of quitting.

He said:

"Every Tour player wants to quit golf once in a while. You say that, but you obviously don't. It's just a feeling because you're so down and you're not playing well. I just made a choice to give it 100 percent and there was no -- after I lost my Tour card, that's when I decided to do that."

Of achieving his first ever PGA Tour win, he added:

"It's been a dream of mine since I was 10 years old, eight years old. It's just incredible. I don't think the money does -- I don't think money really does anything. It's the feeling of coming down the stretch and winning and all that stuff, you just can't beat it."

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Theegala said:

"It's just awesome to be in this position. And I feel like I'm getting more and more comfortable and also don't necessarily have to play my A-plus or A-game to get there, whereas I felt like the first couple times, like in Phoenix and even at Sanderson, I was playing like as good as I could I feel like almost in those couple events.

"The last couple times I've been in the top-10, it's felt a lot more, I don't want to say easier, but I can feel the progression in my game, I can see the progression in my game.

"That's a big positive. But obviously not to -- not to get it done today is going to sting for a little bit. That's just kind of who I am.

"I think everyone out here would feel the same. Just being a competitor and being so close to the big goal and not getting it done is always going to sting. Again, so many positives and just thankful for the whole year."

Final leaderboard

Svensson -19

Tarren, Theegala, Tarren, Harman -17

Dahmen, Hammer, Stroud, Power -15

Smalley -14

Next page: PGA Tour schedule 2022-2023