- Peter Malnati achieved a double victory in the Valspar Championship on Sunday
- The 36-year-old was overcome with emotion during a heartfelt interview
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Peter Malnati bared his soul after claiming a second PGA Tour victory – almost nine years after his first – at the Valspar Championship on Sunday.
The 36-year-old secured a two-shot victory in Florida – despite a comical top – after hitting five birdies in a four-under par final round.
It was the No. 184’s second career Tour title and his first since November 2015. The win also earned him $1,512,000 – and a first-ever trip to the Masters next month.
After the victory, the American was overcome with emotions. Carrying his young son, Malnati gave a heartfelt interview in which he opened up about the struggle of waiting for this second victory.
“You wonder if you’re ever going to do it again because it’s hard and in the nine years since my last win it’s gotten a lot harder too,” he told the Golf channelhis voice shakes.
Peter Malnati bared his soul after claiming a second PGA Tour victory on Sunday
Malnati gave a heartfelt interview in which he opened up about his expectations for a second victory
“The talent level here… guys come out when they’re 20 years old and they’re ready to play on this stage and they’re so good. You just wonder.
“So to have this moment just feels so amazing. It’s clear that my family believes in me – I have the best caddy (Chad Antus), he has been loyal to me for a long time, even during many downtimes. ‘
Malnati also paid tribute to his wife Alicia for ‘making this all possible’ as he revealed the reality of life outside golf’s elite.
‘Life is hard. It’s obviously glamorous at times like this and this is my dream job and it’s absolutely amazing,” he said.
“You wonder if you’re ever going to do it again because it’s hard,” the 36-year-old admitted
‘But life is also really hard. When you’re trying to figure out how to live this lifestyle and have two kids and be everything you want to be. It’s really hard and my wife has been an absolute rock through it all.
“She’s great and I have my mom here, my family is great. My two little boys… it just feels so good.”
Malnati started the day two shots behind before shooting a 67 in his final round on Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course.
On the tee at the 198-yard, par-three 17th, he hit a dart to within six feet of the cup and ran in the ensuing putt for birdie.
That birdie helped Malnati finish the week twelve under par. He beat Cameron Young by two strokes after Young bogeyed his final hole en route to a 68. Young now has seven career second-place finishes without a PGA Tour victory.