Joel Dahmen has stood over 1000’s of six-foot putts in his golf profession, however none have been as nerve-racking because the one he confronted on Friday afternoon together with his PGA Tour standing within the stability. Along with his arms shaking and his heartbeat quickening, Dahmen drilled his par putt into the again of the opening to make the RSM Classic minimize on the quantity.
The following fist pump mentioned all of it.
Dahmen entered the RSM Basic in a precarious place. The 37-year-old fan favourite wanted to complete the week inside the highest 125 within the FedEx Cup Fall standings to safe his PGA Tour card for the 2025 season. A missed minimize at Sea Island Golf Membership would’ve knocked him off the PGA Tour as a full-time member and despatched him again to the minor leagues.
After a 2-over 74 within the first spherical, Dahmen knew he wanted one thing particular on Friday to maintain his hopes alive. Fortunately for the veteran, he recorded a 3-under 68 within the second spherical and made essentially the most anxious putt of his profession to make the minimize on the quantity. Think about needing to gap a six-footer to maintain your job. Effectively, Dahmen simply did, and he poured it proper within the center.
Chatting with reporters after the spherical, an emotional Dahmen shared how a lot his household has helped him hold his goals alive.
“I’ve plenty of nice folks round me, and so it is onerous on them, Dahmen mentioned, per PGA Tour. “But it surely’s simply because they love me and so they care about me… Fortunately, I’ve my household right here. The one factor I’ve observed that will get my thoughts off of something is my child, and that is been nice.”
Dahmen is presently projected to complete 126th within the FedEx Cup Fall, however he has two extra rounds of golf to rack up some birdies and fall inside the highest 125.
The distinction between 126 and 125 is career-changing for gamers like Dahmen, particularly now. The PGA Tour plans to eradicate 25 Tour playing cards and shrink the scale of fields beginning in 2026. Couple that with the rising variety of gifted, younger gamers becoming a member of the professionals at an early age, and it is more durable than ever for bubble gamers like Dahmen to take care of their tour playing cards.
Dahmen is closing in on 40. He will not have the ability to sustain with the younger bombers dominating the game for for much longer. If he lipped out that six-footer and missed the minimize on Friday, it may’ve been the tip of his profession as a full-time PGA Tour participant.
Because of his nerves of metal, Dahmen may have an opportunity to play his strategy to full-time standing in 2025. It is secure to say we’ll all be Dahmen followers this weekend.
