Rookie Steven Fisk broke through in dramatic fashion Sunday, firing an 8-under 64 to capture his first career PGA Tour victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. His late-round surge–including birdies on 16, 17, and 18–left him at 24 under for the week, two strokes ahead of runner-up Garrick Higgo.
Entering the final round two strokes behind Higgo, Fisk steadily chipped away at the lead. After the turn, the battle intensified: Higgo reeled off a string of birdies, but Fisk responded with clutch shots and composure under pressure. As the tournament reached its climax, Fisk’s iron to inside three feet on No. 18 and his steady putting sealed the deal.
Battling Back from Behind
Fisk’s final-round performance wasn’t a fluke. He entered the day just off the lead and methodically made his move. His 64 was the low round of the day, powered by birdies at the end and a calmness in pivotal stretches. Meanwhile, Higgo, a formidable opponent with previous Tour wins, kept the heat on until his missed birdie on 18 gave Fisk breathing room.
The contest became a duel not just between swings, but nerves. On the 17th, Fisk sank a clutch birdie putt after Higgo couldn’t convert from close. On 18, with the margin narrow, Fisk left nothing to chance–his precision and mental resolve pushed him past the finish line.
“Garrick was playing so well today, especially down the stretch. I told him [Green] we needed another birdie to try to close this thing out,” Fisk said. “The way Garrick was playing there coming down the stretch, he wasn’t going away.
“Based on the scores earlier this week, I didn’t have a target score in mind today, but … I knew it was going to require more birdies than anything else. Just trying to make as many as I possibly could because I knew I’d need them at the end.”
What This Win Means for Fisk’s Career
With this victory, Fisk instantly secures exempt status on the PGA Tour through 2027, giving him job security and freedom to plan his schedule. Prior to this week, Fisk–ranked No. 183 in the world–had been fighting for consistency. Now, not only has he earned his first Tour win, but he’s also made a statement that he belongs.
“Obviously, with the position I was in on the FedExCup points list I had a lot of ground to make up,” Fisk said. “We all think we’re good enough to compete out here and to win, and to come out here today and play like I did, and finally I truly know that I’m good enough to be a PGA TOUR winner is really cool.”
Beyond the stats, the win carried emotional weight. Earlier this year, Fisk lost his father, and this victory felt like a tribute to his memory. His caddie, Jay Green, has connections to the late Grayson Murray–adding further poignancy to Fisk’s day.
“I think he nudged a couple putts in for me for sure, maybe him or Grayson. I had a couple of helpers out there,” Fisk said. “I miss him very much, and I know he’d be really proud of how I played all week and especially today to keep my composure and just kind of go about my business the best way I know how.”
Rising Rookies and Tour Momentum
Fisk becomes the 14th first-time winner on Tour this season, underscoring the depth of emerging talent on the PGA Tour. His victory came at a moment when every stroke counts–the fall events serve as a last push for players to solidify their Tour status and climb the FedEx Cup standings.
According to Golf Monthly, “Fisk’s earnings in 2025 amounted to $670,965, but he now has almost triple that figure, having claimed $1.08m from the overall purse of $6m–by far the biggest payday of his career to date.”
This win also highlights how a strong finish under pressure can define a golfer’s trajectory. Fisk’s composure, shotmaking, and mental toughness in the closing holes showed that he’s not just capable of contending–he can win.
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