'Not ready to be done': One pro's FedEx Fall job battle is different than the others | News | GOLF.com

A crucial fall stretch

Malnati’s Valspar Championship victory two years ago earned him a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. That security is due to end this year, leaving him to fight for his playing privileges during the FedEx Fall.

He made 11 cuts in 23 starts this season, with a best finish of tied 19th at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. At 169th in the FedEx Cup standings, he entered the fall needing to reach the top 100 to keep full playing privileges.

A fast start in Mexico

Malnati responded with an opening 66, then shot an 8-under 64 on Friday. He went into the weekend in second place, one shot behind Ben James. The strong start put his PGA Tour future within reach, but he still needed to produce over the remaining rounds to stay in the fight.

More than financial security

Malnati said his family’s financial future is secure, so the pressure is not about putting food on the table. Instead, he wants to find out whether he can still play golf at the highest level.

He said he believes he has more to give and needs to be in contention to discover whether that is true. At 39, he wants his play to make his 14-year-old self, who dreamed of reaching the PGA Tour, proud.

A win that changed perspective

In 2015, Malnati won the Sanderson Farms Championship. Nine years later, he captured the Valspar Championship after going 3,058 days without a PGA Tour victory. After the Valspar win, he described the emotion of celebrating with his wife and children. The victory brought peace and pride, while also making him wonder whether it might be the peak of his career.