JGAA Alum Matt McCarty Claims First Win in Third PGA TOUR Start at Inaugural Black Desert Championship

ST GEORGE, UTAH – OCTOBER 13: Matt McCarty of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the final round of the Black Desert Championship 2024 at Black Desert Resort on October 13, 2024 in St George, Utah. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

JGAA Alumni Matt McCarty is golf’s hottest new young player after claiming his first PGA TOUR win at the inaugural Black Desert Championship in Utah. The southpaw shot a 4-under 67 in the final round at Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah, concluding with a total score of 23-under 261, earning a three-shot victory over Stephen Jaeger. Though this was only McCarty’s third career start on the PGA TOUR, he showed no signs of inexperience. Over the summer, he dominated the Korn Ferry Tour, winning three times in six weeks, which helped him earn his PGA TOUR card. He made his debut at the Sanderson Farms Championship, finishing T63.

McCarty entered the final round with a two-shot lead and cruised to victory, clinching a $1.35 million prize, 500 FedExCup points, and full PGA TOUR status through 2026. His win also grants him exemptions into the 2025 Sentry Tournament of Champions, the Masters, and the PGA Championship. Having topped the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour points list, McCarty had already secured spots in THE PLAYERS Championship and the U.S. Open. The Scottsdale native joins elite company as the first golfer to win on the PGA TOUR in the same season after winning three times on the Korn Ferry Tour since Jason Gore in 2005.

McCarty showcased excellent poise and power on a course where tee-to-green precision deemed mandatory. This week he ranked first in total strokes gained with 15.125 and rode the hot hand on the greens with his putter. Even managed to card three eagles during the tournament, ranking first in the field.

A JGAA member from 2008-2016, McCarty competed in 72 events and captured four wins. The prominent Desert Mountain High School alum went on to have an outstanding tenure at Santa Clara University. The accolades and achievements during his time as a Bronco include 2021 NCAA Regional Individual Qualifier, three-time First Team All-WCC and a 2020 U.S. Amateur Qualifier.

The former Santa Clara University golfer started out his professional golf journey as a rather late bloomer, having to grind it out on the Korn Ferry Tour for three seasons before breaking out on the PGA TOUR. Now the former JGAA player marks his fourth professional win in just his last 10 starts (Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR). He looks to continue his momentum this week in Las Vegas at the Shriners Children’s Open.

“What an unbelievable run Matt has been on these past few months,” said JGAA Executive Director Scott McNevin. “From watching him get his start in competitive golf to becoming an official PGA TOUR winner, we are ecstatic to see him make waves and succeed on golf’s biggest stage. Congrats on the first of many!”

Full story: https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/wire-to-wire/2024/10/14/matt-mccarty-win-black-desert-championship-utah-shriners-childrens-open-preview-las-vegas?webview=1