Peter Malnati makes major points leap with victory at Sanderson Farms Championship

Peter Malnati matched his career low round with a 9-under par, 63 on the final day of the Sanderson Farms Championship. Despite his best efforts, it wasn’t enough to hold off 54-hole leader Sergio Garcia, who went on to defeat Malnati by a single stroke with a birdie on the 72nd hole. Malnati’s runner-up finish is his best of the season.

Malnati’s second place showing is just the second top 10 he has recorded during the U.S. Ryder Cup qualifying period, but the runner-up finish moved Malnati up significantly in the standings. This week, he jumped 39 spots in the U.S. Ryder Cup points standings from No. 86 to No. 47. He’ll need to continue adding top 10s to his resume to have a hope at earning one of those coveted six Captain’s Selections that U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker will be giving out ahead of the matches in September 2021. Malnati has yet to compete in a Ryder Cup, unlike Garcia, who in his eight appearances has become the all-time points earner in the history of the Ryder Cup.

The top 6 in the U.S. Ryder Cup point standings, who will earn an automatic qualifying spot on the team, remains unchanged following the Sanderson Farms Championship.