Yuan of China places in top 5 at Valspar Championship, Peter Malnati claims victory on PGA TOUR

China’s Carl Yuan impressed at the Valspar Championship, finishing tied fifth with an impressive performance on the PGA TOUR. Yuan, who turned 27 recently, chipped in twice on the last day to secure a closing 3-under 68 at the Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course. Despite finishing four shots behind winner Peter Malnati, it was his second top-10 finish this season after a tied fourth place at the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Korea’s K.H. Lee also had a strong start, finishing tied ninth after a final round 69. Despite this being his second top-10 finish in three starts, Lee was disappointed with two bogeys in his last three holes. On the other hand, Yuan expressed his excitement after his performance, saying, “I had a couple of chip-ins and that was very exciting.”

Yuan’s rise in form can be attributed to a timely reminder from his wife Cathy to have “fun” on the course. He took her advice to heart and focused on enjoying his game rather than getting too caught up in technical details. This shift in mindset helped him secure his second top-5 finish and break a streak of four missed cuts in six starts.

The Chinese star admitted to struggling with confidence earlier in the season but found a renewed sense of freedom by swinging the club without overthinking it. Yuan emphasized the importance of playing instinctively and embracing his unique style on the course. His unconventional approach seemed to pay off, as he now sets his sights on claiming a maiden PGA TOUR title in the near future.

Meanwhile, Peter Malnati ended an eight-year winless streak with an emotional triumph at the Valspar Championship. The American golfer expressed his nerves and relief after clinching his second PGA TOUR title in front of his family. Reflecting on his victory, Malnati shared, “You wonder if you’re ever going to do it again. It’s hard. To have this moment, it feels amazing.”