"I'm shaking right now" - Maverick McNealy reacts on winning the RSM Classic 2024
Maverick McNealy has reacted to his maiden PGA Tour victory at the recently concluded RSM Classic. The American golfer registered a one-stroke win over Luke Clanton, Nico Echavarria, and Daniel Berger, on Sunday, November 24.
He shot a final round of 68 to finish at 16-under par and claim the FedEx Cup fall season final event trophy, along with $1,368,000 in prize money and 500 FedEx Cup points. Following his win, Maverick McNealy got emotional while talking to the media. Here's what the teary-eyed McNealy said:
"I'm shaking right now. I feel like I could run a marathon. Absolutely exhausted, but the adrenaline is unbelievable."
The 29-year-old also talked about his performance and the significance of the win in his life. He said (via Golf Digest):
"Playing professional golf and trying to win a golf tournament late on Sunday is designed to make you as uncomfortable as you possibly can. Holes are challenging, the golf course plays about as hard as it does all week in those conditions, you're hitting golf shots that potentially could change your life. And that's the amazing thing about this tour is you have the potential to change your life every given week."
The victory at The RSM Classic was dramatic for Maverick McNealy, with the outcome uncertain until the final holes. He started the back nine strongly with two birdies but stumbled with a bogey on the 14th.
However, with a birdie on the 18th, McNealy managed to seize the title by just one stroke. Meanwhile, J.T. Poston tied for fifth at 14-under with Lee Hodges and Mackenzie Hughes, followed by Michael Thorbjornsen, settling in a T8 position with Patrick Fishburn and Vince Whaley.
A look at Maverick McNealy's performance at the 2024 RSM Classic
On Thursday, November 21, McNealy had a fantastic start at the RSM Classic, with a solid round of 62. He played a bogey-free round with three birdies on the front nine, an eagle on the 15th, and added three birdies on the back nine for an 8-under 62.
However, despite such an astonishing start, he struggled in the second round. He shot 2-under 70 with four birdies and two bogeys. The third round was a mixed bag as he struggled on the front nine with two bogeys and three birdies, but rebounded impressively on the back nine with three birdies to finish with a 4-under 66.
He finally settled for a round of 2-under 68 in the final with three birdies and a bogey to register a one-shot win in the tournament. McNealy has been consistently impressive on the PGA Tour in 2024, with six top-10 finishes in 28 events.