Joel Dahmen has stood over hundreds of six-foot putts in his golf profession, however none had been as nerve-racking because the one he confronted on Friday afternoon together with his PGA Tour standing within the steadiness. Together with his arms shaking and his heartbeat quickening, Dahmen drilled his par putt into the again of the outlet to make the RSM Classic reduce on the quantity.
The following fist pump mentioned all of it.
Dahmen entered the RSM Traditional 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 reduce 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 aggravating putt of his profession to make the reduce on the quantity. Think about needing to gap a six-footer to maintain your job. Nicely, 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 desires alive.
“I’ve a number of nice individuals round me, and so it is exhausting on them, Dahmen mentioned, per PGA Tour. “However it’s simply because they love me they usually 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 at the moment 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 remove 25 Tour playing cards and shrink the dimensions of fields beginning in 2026. Couple that with the rising variety of proficient, younger gamers becoming a member of the professionals at an early age, and it is tougher than ever for bubble gamers like Dahmen to keep up 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 reduce on Friday, it might’ve been the top of his profession as a full-time PGA Tour participant.
Because of his nerves of metal, Dahmen may have an opportunity to play his method to full-time standing in 2025. It is secure to say we’ll all be Dahmen followers this weekend.
