Winning the RSM Classic has once again rocked a Canadian’s world.
Six years after Mackenzie Hughes got his first PGA Tour win at that event, Adam Svensson became a first-time winner on tour, a two-shot victory over Callum Tarren, Sahith Theegala and Brian Harman on Sunday.
Svensson clinched the win on Sunday with his second round of six-under 64 in his last three rounds, this one a bogey-free effort that left him at 19 under to collect the $1.4-million winner’s cheque.
“It’s been a dream of mine since I was 10 years old, eight years old. It’s just incredible. 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,” said Svensson.
He also gets a two-year exemption on tour and will play the Masters. He is the second Canadian to win on tour this season after Hughes won the Sanderson Farms Championship in early October.
“It definitely changes my schedule a lot. Obviously, I’ll be into more events now. I’ll have more time at home to work on my game and prepare for obviously bigger events now, so I’m excited,” said Svensson.
Dreams do come true ❤️
An emotional interview with @AdamSvensson59 after winning @TheRSMClassic. pic.twitter.com/QZrSVZKMBn
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 20, 2022
Svensson made the turn at two under on the day, but jumped into the lead with consecutive birdies on 10 and 11, both par fours. Tarren pulled even with a birdie up ahead on 18, but Svensson clinched it with birdies on 16 and 17.
“I looked on the leaderboard on 15, the par five there and hit a poor wedge shot and made par, but I knew there’s a couple good birdie chances on 16 and 17 with a front flag,” said Svensson.
“The shot on 16, it kind of spun back but it was kind of an easy putt uphill left to right and I just knew I hit it hard enough and it went in and the one on 17, I didn’t think it was going to go in and somehow it just dove in,” he said.
Svensson opened the tournament with a first round 73 and was tied for 108th going into Friday’s second round before finishing with 64-62-64 scores. The difference was his putting, something he’s been focused on.
Awesome putt, even better reaction 😅 @AdamSvensson59 is now tied for the lead @TheRSMClassic. pic.twitter.com/62wx3CK45E
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 20, 2022
“We really work on flow in my stroke and sometimes on the long ones, especially this week, it’s fast, so just having a little bit more flow has helped me with speed control, because I do get a little jabby sometimes,” he said.
Work and focus define Svensson the past couple of years since returning from a stint on the Korn Ferry Tour following the 2020-21 season.
“I relied mostly on talent when I was younger. I didn’t put enough work in, I wasn’t that disciplined. Two years ago I decided to give it 100 per cent and I’ve been super disciplined. I don’t drink anymore, I go to the golf course every day, I’m up at six o’clock, I give it 100 per cent now,” he said.
“You can say you can work hard, but in the end you’ve got to actually do the work. I’m just proud of myself for doing that,” added Svensson.
Taylor Pendrith finished with a round of 69 and tied for 15th at 13 under.
The final leaderboard is here.
