Matthieu Pavon chasing Ryder Cup dream ahead of PGA Tour title defence at Farmers Insurance Open | Golf News happymamay

Matteo Pavone heads into the defense of his Farmers Insurance Open title with aspirations of fulfilling a childhood ambition and making his first Ryder Cup appearance in 2025, something that seemed only a dream less than 18 months ago.

When Team Europe regained the Ryder Cup with an impressive 16.5-11.5 win over USA’s Zach Johnson in Rome in September 2023, Pavon was outside the world’s top 200 and winless in his eighth season on the DP World Tour.

Less than four months later, Pavon reached the DP World Tour Winners’ Circle, earning dual membership for the following season and becoming the first Frenchman in 117 years to win on the PGA Tour.

Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player

Best of the final round of the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, as Pavón notches famous win

Pavon returns to Torrey Pines as the defending champion this week, Live on Sky Sports As of Wednesday, with the Frenchman keen to build on his memorable rookie season and force his way into the European Ryder Cup plans.

“I think year two is always kind of a confirmation year,” Pavon said before defending his title at Torrey Pines. “That was a great rookie [in 2024]But now it’s confirmation time, time to emerge again and try to win trophies.

“It’s a very big year for me because it’s also a Ryder Cup year. This is one of my goals that I’ve been chasing since I was a kid. There’s a lot going on this year and I can’t wait to get started.”

Mateo Pavone celebrates on the 18th green of the South Course at Torrey Pines after winning the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Paul)
image:
Can Pavon make more PGA Tour history at the Farmers Insurance Open?

How failure led to Pavon’s rise to PGA Tour success

Pavon had to wait a long time to build his reputation in the sport, spending eight years between his early successes on the Tour of the Alps – a third-tier circuit – and his achievement on the DP World Tour.

He changed his driver and putter during the final week of the Ryder Cup, taking second place in the €6,000 mini-tour of France, and the switch was quickly followed by long-awaited success two weeks later in the Acciona Open de España. .

Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player

Highlights of the final round of the 2023 Spanish Open, as Pavon wins and home favorite Jon Rahm is eliminated

His emotional four-shot victory came in his 185th DP World Tour appearance and in the city where his late grandfather was born, as his career took a further turn the following month with the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Pavón birdied each of the final four holes to snatch a fifth-place finish, and a top-10 finish in the world in a memorable 2024, earning him a PGA Tour card and dual membership for the following season from his position in the Race to Dubai rankings.

He made an immediate statement in America, winning the Farmers Insurance Open – in only his third PGA Tour start of the season – to become the first French PGA Tour winner since Arnaud Massy in 1907 and secure his invitation to all four majors.

Pavon impressed in his Masters debut, competed in the US Open, represented France at the Olympics and reached the season-ending Tour Championship during a stormy campaign, with his past struggles emboldening him to succeed on the world stage.

“I think he really failed [that helped]“We keep saying this, but you can achieve great things before you fail many times, and I have had many different failures in my career,” Pavone explained.

“When I was on a little tour in Europe, I failed to graduate to the Challenge Tour by four bucks over the course of a year, and that’s nothing – it’s not even a chance. Then I went back to Q School, went to Q School and went on the Challenge Tour.

“On the Challenge Tour, it’s the same thing. The great years started great and then I lost some places and had to finish second in one of the last tournaments to get my card. It was like that until I finally won on Tour one year and half a year ago in Spain – I lost Several times before I succeeded.

“I think it makes me a better player, because the more you fail, the more you learn about yourself. It was a long experience getting there, but when you get to the top, you feel more comfortable and more prepared.”

Live PGA Tour Golf

Wednesday, January 22 at 4:45 p.m


Could Pavon’s next Ryder Cup be ‘special’?

There hasn’t been a Frenchman in a Ryder Cup team since Victor Dubuisson in 2014, but Pavon showed why he can end that wait with his performance in the Team Cup at the start of the year.

The three-day group play event has been reintroduced to the DP World Tour schedule to aid preparations for next September’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, with Pavon joint-top of Europe’s top scorer in their heavy 17-8 loss to Great Britain. And Ireland.

Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player

Sky Sports correspondent Jamie Weir heads to New York to find out what’s in store for Team Europe at the 2025 Ryder Cup

Pavon partnered Romain Langacek to win each of the first three sessions and was able to match Tommy Fleetwood’s birdie blast in the singles before losing 3&1, with his display praised by Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and his backroom team.

“he [Pavon] “It was something special,” said Paul McGinley, a former Ryder Cup captain and Donald’s strategic advisor on the team’s 2025 Cup. “He had a bit of a grit about him.

Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player

Paul McGinley has backed Pavon to be a contender for this year’s Ryder Cup team after his appearance in the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi

“As much as we look at the Ryder Cup in a different way to any away cup before, what we’re looking for is character, guile, determination and someone who can play in a hostile environment.

“I think Pavon brought that to the table, so that was really impressive. He had a big year in America last year which has him set for a big year this year because he’s competing in all the major tournaments and marquee events.”

Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player

Excerpts from the final day of the Team Cup, where Great Britain and Ireland finished victorious over continental Europe

The Ryder Cup is still nine months away, leaving plenty of time for players to push their names into the automatic qualifying positions or leave themselves in consideration to be one of Donald’s six captain’s picks.

Pavon has shown he can compete against the best in the world over the past year and his display in the Team Cup proved what he can offer in a team environment, although 2025 will still be required if his Ryder Cup dream is to become a reality. A strong title defense at Torrey Pines would be a good start.

Who will win open farmers insurance? Watch all week live on Sky Sports. Early coverage begins on Wednesday from 4.45pm on Sky Sports Golf before full coverage from 8pm. Get Sky Sports or Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more without a contract now.

https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/1600×900/skysports-matthieu-pavon-golf_6806936.jpg?20250121222541

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top