Golf fans were in for a rollercoaster finish at the PGA Tour’s Punta Cana Championship this weekend.
What started as a seemingly smooth path to victory for Joel Dahmen turned into a dramatic unraveling—and in the end, it was South Africa’s Garrick Higgo who walked away with the trophy.
Dahmen’s Lead Slips Away in Painful Final Moments
Going into the final round on Sunday, 37-year-old Joel Dahmen had everything going for him.
With a solid three-stroke lead and confidence on his side, he looked poised to reclaim the title he had won at the same tournament back in 2021.
But golf has a way of humbling even the best. Dahmen bogeyed each of the final three holes—including a painful miss from just three feet on the 17th hole.
He ended his round with a 4-over-par 76, which, surprisingly, was the worst score posted among the top 37 finishers.
Higgo Keeps His Cool Under Pressure
Meanwhile, Garrick Higgo wasn’t even in the final group.
He was one hole ahead of Dahmen, trying to keep his round steady.
He faltered slightly with a bogey on the 17th, but steadied the ship with a par on the 18th to finish at even-par 72 for the day. That brought him to a total score of 14-under for the tournament—just enough to claim victory by a single stroke.
For Higgo, 25, it marks his second PGA Tour win.
The Johannesburg native previously took home the title at the Palmetto Championship in South Carolina back in 2021.
This latest win, though, seemed to mean even more.
Higgo Reflects on the Highs and Lows of the Game
An emotional Higgo shared how much this moment meant to him.
“This is unbelievable and this is why I play the game,” he said, clearly soaking in the victory.
“The journey—it has ups and downs. I know I’ll go through a low again, just like everyone does, but I really enjoy the ride.”
His words struck a chord with fans who’ve followed his career, and it’s clear that this young South African is still on the rise.
A Crushing End for Dahmen
As for Dahmen, the emotions were raw after the round. “I think I’m in a little bit of shock, honestly,” he admitted.
“It’s not how you win a golf tournament, I’ll tell you that. I don’t deserve to win it. Bogeying the last three is inexcusable.”
He added that the loss was going to take some time to recover from.
“This one’s going to sting for a while,” he said. “But you learn more in defeat—unfortunately.”
A Lesson in Resilience and Staying in the Game
Golf is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one.
Sunday’s drama in Punta Cana was a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift—and how important it is to stay grounded and focused, right until the very last putt.
Whether you were cheering for the underdog or watching through your fingers as the leaderboard flipped, this year’s Punta Cana Championship delivered a truly unforgettable finish.