The RSM Classic may have been the final official PGA Tour event of 2022, but it reinforced a new beginning for 28-year-old Canadian Adam Svensson.
Breaking free from a tight leaderboard, Svensson picked up his first tour victory Sunday at Sea Island Resort on St. Simons Island, Georgia. He shot a final-round 64 for a 19-under 263 total to edge Callum Tarren, Sahith Theegala and Brian Harman by two strokes.
Svensson is a native of British Columbia and a member of a Canadian contingent that includes peers Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes. Having earned three top-10 finishes last season, Svensson changed the arc of his career by handling the cool, breezy conditions at the Seaside Course better than anyone when it mattered the most.
This is Svensson’s second chance on the PGA Tour, having failed to keep his card in the 2018-19 season. He’s an intentionally different player this time and has the results to prove it.
“I relied mostly on talent when I was younger,” Svensson said. “I didn't put enough work in. I wasn't that disciplined. Two years ago, I decided to give it 100 percent, and I've been super disciplined … I don't drink anymore; I go to the golf course every day; I'm up at 6; I give it 100 percent now.”
Working with coach John Graham, Svensson has sharpened the edges of his game and improved his putting. Increased confidence – and a comfort level while chasing his first win – have been part of the overall transformation.
“It's all self,” he said. “You can say you can work hard, but in the end you've got to actually do the work. I'm just proud of myself for doing that.”
Being forced to earn his way back onto the PGA Tour – Svensson won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2021 – drove home his new approach.
“Realizing I wasn't as good as I actually was and realizing how hard everyone works on this tour and what it takes to get here. It was a blessing, to be honest,” he said. “It kind of changed my path and everything.”
Ron Green Jr.