IVINS, Utah — Matt McCarty began the year on the Korn Ferry Tour and has now secured his place in the Masters, capturing his inaugural PGA Tour title at the Black Desert Championship with an impressive 4-under 67, highlighted by a swing that effectively clinched his victory.

After achieving three victories on the Korn Ferry Tour, McCarty earned an instant promotion to the PGA Tour in August. During only his third event on the PGA circuit, he showcased his talent convincingly. Starting the final round with a two-shot advantage, he never relinquished his lead at Black Desert Resort, ultimately finishing three strokes ahead of the competition.

Stephan Jaeger narrowed the gap to one shot with birdies on the 14th and 15th holes. However, McCarty’s pivotal moment came with a precise 3-wood shot on the 310-yard 14th hole that nearly found perfection. The ball rolled onto the green, coming to a stop just 3.5 feet from the hole for an eagle, effectively quelling any potential threats.

This victory guarantees that the 26-year-old left-handed golfer from Arizona will participate in three major tournaments next year. His win at the PGA Tour event secures him entry into both the Masters and the PGA Championship, while his top performance on the Korn Ferry Tour has already earned him a spot in the U.S. Open.

McCarty is now the first player since Jason Gore to secure three wins on the developmental tour, receive an immediate promotion, and then succeed on the PGA Tour in the same season. He concluded the event with a remarkable 23-under 261, earning a prize of $1.35 million.

“Expectations can be tough, but this has been a lot of fun,” McCarty remarked. “I’ve been diligently working, and this year has been wonderful for me. Getting an early start helped me gain valuable experience, and now I’ve achieved this. It’s been quite a whirlwind over the past few months.”

For the most part, McCarty managed to navigate through the day with minimal pressure, due partly to his exceptional lag putting. He did face a moment of concern when Jaeger made his late push.

Many of his potential rivals struggled throughout the day in sunny southwestern Utah, marking the Beehive State’s first PGA Tour event in 61 years. Joe Highsmith, who played in the final group, opened with a double bogey, while Harris English’s three bogeys on the front nine countered his three birdies, preventing him from making a significant move. Jaeger, who had previously bested Scottie Scheffler to claim victory at the Houston Open in March, could only manage one birdie on the front nine.

McCarty maintained his three-shot lead, with his first slip occurring only on the 12th hole after a three-putt from 55 feet. However, after Jaeger made a 5-foot putt for birdie on the 13th and drove the green on the 14th for another birdie, the gap was reduced to one shot. McCarty responded to the challenge with determination, perfectly executing a draw with his 3-wood, urging the ball to “Turn!” and it did, landing just short of the green and rolling into prime eagle territory.

Jaeger managed to finish strong with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole, posting a score of 68 and taking second place on his own. “I gave myself a chance,” he stated. “I didn’t drive it well enough to give myself shorter clubs and better birdie opportunities, but I made some nice putts towards the end, so I’m pleased with that.”

In a tie for third place were Lucas Glover, who shot an impressive 62, and Kevin Streelman, who found himself in a tight spot despite not contending for the title. The FedEx Cup Fall series primarily focuses on players securing a top-125 finish to retain their full PGA Tour cards for 2025. Streelman entered the tournament ranked No. 177, making every shot crucial. After missing a 6-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole, he struck the pin on the par-3 17th with his wedge, but the ball ricocheted off the green. He salvaged par there and capped off the day with a birdie on the 18th, scoring a 69.

With this finish, he moved to No. 138, getting closer to the coveted 125th spot, with at least four more tournaments on the calendar before the season concludes.