Joel Dahmen, the 37-year-old PGA Tour professional, faced an incredibly tense year, so much so that the possibility of losing his PGA Tour card for 2025 loomed over him. But you know what? True sportsmanship shines through when you refuse to give up on your dreams, even until the very last shot of the match. And could know it better than Joel Dahmen? 

His sportsmanship was on full display at the RSM Classic. During the event, Dahmen kept his composure, sinking a crucial putt to finish at 1-under par, securing his place to compete over the weekend. While he is no stranger to the pressure that comes with closing out a victory on the PGA Tour, the emotional weight he felt standing over a 5 1/2-foot putt in Georgia was something else entirely. If he missed, he would definitely lose out on fully exempt status for 2025.

Max Homa, one of Dahmen’s fellow PGA Tour pros, shared his perspective, and frankly, he couldn’t have been more spot on. “Nobody saw it coming,” he said, and you could feel the collective anxiety in the air. Homa mentioned that for the past month and a half, Dahmen’s wife and children had been really tense.

“You know, I’ve seen his wife in school; the boys are in the same class, and you could see a little bit of tension.” You could only imagine how they felt that Sunday morning, hoping to see their father stand up to everyone’s expectations. Homa described how they were “obviously freaking out” as they waited to see if Joel Dahmen could pull it off in those final two holes, where he ended up making a whopping 6 under par. 

Max Homa himself didn’t have the best year either, so you could sense that this victory felt even more significant. “I was sweating it for him,” he shared with SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio. He was incredibly proud of his friend and expressed how elated he was that Dahmen could secure his PGA Tour card for 2025. “You gotta be so proud of yourself if you’re Joel,” Homa said, and honestly, who could disagree with him?

What’s impressive is that Joel Dahmen could’ve easily thrown in the towel, especially sitting at the 60th position at one point. Yet, the 37-year-old pro didn’t just give in. As Homa put it, “He really stuck it out and delivered a memorable performance,” that spoke volumes about his character. 

Dahmen’s reaction after securing the 2025 PGA Tour card?

After securing his 2025 PGA Tour card, Dahmen’s reaction was a mix of relief and emotion. When the putt finally dropped, he couldn’t help but embrace his wife, Lona, and his playing partner, Mark Hubbard. The tension of a dramatic Friday round in November was real, with Hubbard even joking about needing a “stress drink” to cope with the pressure.

Dahmen acknowledged the weight of the moment, expressing concern for those who share in his journey. “I’m sorry for them… I know my wife and family has been stressed,” he reflected. It was clear that the love and support from the people around him, while appreciated, also added to the intensity of the situation. In his own words, he emphasized, “Job’s not done. … We have two more steps to go.”

After the round, he admitted, “It was a great putt. I was very nervous.” It was a significant moment, but he was careful to keep perspective. “It wasn’t the game-winner, it was like the half-court shot to get us like at halftime.” Without that critical putt, he realized that the weekend’s aspirations could have looked very different. 

Dahmen continued, “I’m hoping I play great this weekend… but that’s not the way golf is.” Despite his pride in the day’s performance, he remained focused on the work that still lay ahead.