Echoes of Matthieu Pavon's victory at the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open are still resonating throughout the golf world. Pavon achieved this victory in just his 11th start on the PGA Tour, and his third after earning his tour card.
Undoubtedly, many factors played a role in Matthieu Pavon's exceptional performance. The Frenchman himself mentioned two key points during the press conference after his victory - to have confidence in his own game and to manage emotions properly.
This is what Pavon said to the reporters (via TenGolf):
"The key is to continue doing what I do, not to change anything, really give myself a little time to see if my if my game could be good here in the United States, if it could compete with the best and then it's just incredible to win at my 3rd tournament this year."
"I think that's the key to this game: managing your emotions, then that's what I did very well today, then the game was really solid all week, so I was able to rely on it with a lot of confidence. I am very proud of what I was able to accomplish today."
Matthieu Pavon is the first Frenchman to win on the PGA Tour since its founding in 1929. The PGA Tour recognizes victories going back in time to 1916, when the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) was founded. Arnaud Massy won The Open Championship in 1907, before the inception of both the PGA Tour and the PGA.
Highlights of Matthieu Pavon's victory at the Farmers Insurance Open
Matthieu Pavon's performance at the Farmers Insurance Open included 21 birdies and eight bogeys. The Frenchman left several examples of his technical quality, such as his third shot on the 18th hole of the third round, executed from the left rough.
It was a moment that tested Pavon's nerve, as Nicolai Hojgaard was about to force the playoff. The Frenchman managed to cover 147 yards to the green, leaving the ball seven feet from the hole. Pavon then made the birdie that gave him the victory in the tournament.
With his win at the Farmers Insurance Open, Pavon earned his exemption to the PGA Tour through the 2026 season. He also earned the highest paycheck of his career so far of $1.62 million.
In addition, Pavon received 500 FedEx Cup ranking points and qualified for the seven remaining Signature Events during the season. He also earned a spot in the field for The Masters and the PGA Championship, and although it is not yet official, he would most likely be in the US Open and The Open Championship as well.
Less than three months ago, Pavon won his first high-level tournament, the DP World Tour Acciona Open de España.