Does Matthieu Pavon Have a Tattoo? Everything About the Farmers Insurance Champ’s Famous Ink

Matthieu Pavon created history at Torrey Pines. The Toulouse-born star, who earned his Tour card through the DP World Tour, became the first French International to claim PGA Tour silverware since World War II. Tears of joy. That’s what will flow from Pavon’s eyes after the history-making feat on the Stateside. Interestingly, that’s also what his tattoo says.

The French International was showcasing the inked letters on the back of his right hand. Pavon read it out loud for the Golf fans. What does it say?

The inspirational quote on Pavon’s hand

Pavon admits he got the idea from Harvard. The one-line, a testament to grinding, has become a daily source of inspiration for the 31-year-old. The tattoo says, “The saliva that flows now will become the tears of joy tomorrow.” 

How did he come up with the line? The Frenchman told a PGA Tour media person that, “One day I was sitting home and then… just decided to write down a quote. It is a really meaningful sentence for me.” It was also an inspiration when Pavon netted his first victory on the other side of the pond.

Speaking then, after his first DP World Tour victory in his 185th start at the Acciona Open de Espana, Matthieu Pavon said, “Professional sports require a very high level and it is very difficult to win. This phrase is to remind me that you have to work hard to win and that sometimes will make you cry because of the effort it entails.”

This time, as he surged to a $1.6 million victory, the grind will turn into tars of joy. “This is why I work hard every day to get those tears back when I lift the trophy.” The moment finally came when Pavon sank an eight-footer on the final hole.

How Matthieu Pavon surged to victory

There was no shortage of late drama at the final round of the Famers Insurance Open. On the punishing South Hole, which was playing out every bit like a Major Championship course, three unlikely Europeans were battling among themselves for their first PGA Tour silverware. Pavon usurped Stephan Jaeger, who stepped on Saturday morning with a one-stroke lead.

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Pavon took time to step on the gas, tying with Pavon at the eighth hole. The PGA Tour rookie, however, didn’t show any signs of nervousness, despite a few recalcitrant shots that almost jeopardized his title bid. Nevertheless, the Frenchman made a 23-footer on the par-3 16th to cling to his lead. Once again, in the final hole, Matthieu Pavon recovered from an error on the penultimate hole to card 3-under 73 in the fourth round. That was enough to turn the “saliva” into “tears of joy.”

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