PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Sudarshan Yellamaraju’s unconventional journey to the PGA Tour reached another milestone Sunday as the Canadian rookie delivered a breakthrough performance at THE PLAYERS Championship.
Yellamaraju carded a final-round 4-under 68 at TPC Sawgrass to finish tied for fifth at 9 under par, four shots behind winner Cam Young.
The 24-year-old’s finish marked his first career top-10 result on the PGA Tour and the best showing by a rookie at the tournament in more than a decade. It was also the strongest result by a Canadian at The Players since Stephen Ames won the event in 2006.
Yellamaraju said the result reinforced his belief that he can compete at the highest level.
“I know I can compete and contend, and I have a lot of belief in myself, but that results-based confidence is something you can’t match,” he said. “Once you do something, you know you can do that or better.”
Making his tournament debut, Yellamaraju approached the week with modest expectations while still aiming to contend.
“As a rookie you just go out and see what you can do,” he said. “I always want to win every tournament, but that’s not realistically possible.”
Yellamaraju’s final round started quickly. The Canadian made three birdies in his opening four holes and added another at the par-5 ninth to reach the turn in 4-under 32.
A bogey on the short par-4 12th slowed his momentum, but he rebounded with birdies at Nos. 15 and 16 before finishing with a bogey at the difficult closing hole.
Playing in front of the large Sunday crowds at TPC Sawgrass was another new experience for the rookie.
“It was awesome,” Yellamaraju said of the fan support. “Yesterday when I had that run of birdies the crowd started cheering me on and it kept me motivated even when I was getting a little tired.”
The strong finish also reflected a mindset that has helped define his rise through the professional ranks.
“I’m not someone who packs it in,” he said. “I never give up. I’m very resilient.”
Yellamaraju credited that approach for helping him handle the challenge of one of the PGA Tour’s most demanding courses.
“Everything has to be really good on this course,” he said. “You’ve got to drive it well, hit good approach shots, chip it well and putt it well.”
The Canadian earned US$925,000 for the result, the largest payday of his young PGA Tour career.
Corey Conners was the next-best Canadian in the field, finishing tied for 13th after a final-round 74, his third straight top-15 result at The Players Championship.
Nick Taylor shot a 1-over 73 on Sunday to finish tied for 42nd, while Taylor Pendrith also closed with a 73 to tie for 46th.
