SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The news just keeps getting better for Max McGreevy.
The 29-year-old University of Oklahoma grad birdied the 18th hole to escape with his second career Korn Ferry Tour victory in the Memorial Health Championship at Panther Creek Country Club on Sunday.
McGreevy fell into a tie with runnerup Steven Fisk after missing a short par putt on the unforgiving par-3 No. 17 before sinking a clutch 12-foot putt on the final hole to prevail 24-under-par.
“You’ve got to stay in the moment,” McGreevy said. “It stinks that I had lost the lead and ended up tied for the lead right there, but you also have to know that you still have a chance on the last hole. It’s all I was looking for was a chance.”
McGreevy announced earlier this month on Instagram that he is expecting a baby girl with his wife, Olivia, and glanced at photos of the pair in his yardage book to help regain his composure before teeing off on the pivotal par-4 No. 18.
Max McGreevy hoists the trophy after winning the 2024 Memorial Health Championship at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Illinois. (Bill Welt/USA TODAY Sports)
He said his wife has been instrumental to his comeback this year. He last won the Price Cutter Charity Championship in 2020 before ascending to the PGA Tour for two seasons.
“I can’t put into words these last couple of weeks and months, it’s going to make a lot better having daycare on the PGA Tour next year,” McGreevy said.
On Monday, McGreevy – and Fisk – officially got the good news. Their 1-2 finish moves them into the top two spots on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Points List, and in the process, earned them their PGA Tour cards for next season.
McGreevy surged atop the leaderboard by one stroke the previous day after setting a 54-hole tournament record at 22-under while Fisk started in third place three strokes behind.
McGreevy began the final round with a bogey but remained ahead until his playing partner, Austin Greaser, tied with three birdies over a stretch of four holes to begin the back nine.
Greaser, making his fourth KFT appearance, ultimately lapsed into a tie for fourth place at 21-under with four bogeys over the final five holes, including the 233-yard No. 17.
“It was little bit of a tricky day today,” McGreevy said. “I was just trying to give myself a ton of looks. Luckily there was no one that was at the top to start the day that really kind of went off to challenge too hard. I just couldn’t get anything too close to the hole on the back nine. Luckily I had a couple of looks at the end and I was able to sink one on (No.) 18.”
Jackson Suber claimed third place at 22-under. Ryan Gerard, the leader after two rounds, tied for eighth at 20-under.
McGreevy said his career has been filled with highs and lows. He is certainly now riding his biggest high and hopes winning in crunch time will be a springboard for more to come.
“I’m excited to actually have that opportunity to finish it out in style like I did,” McGreevy said.