GOLFER Peter Malnati broke down in tears BEFORE sinking his winning putt to qualify for his first Masters.

The American, 36, had not won on the PGA Tour for nine years – 3,059 days – but came up trumps at the Valspar Championship in Florida on Sunday.

Leading by two strokes on -12 as he walked down the 18th fairway, Malnati knew he could afford to three-putt on the last and still claim his second PGA Tour title.

The beaming Indiana star took off his bucket hat and waved it to the crowd knowing he was on the brink of his own personal history and a cheque for £1.2million.

He almost sealed it in style but his birdie putt just rolled past the hole, giving him a simple tap-in for par and seal the victory.

But before knocking the ball in the hole, Malnati was overcome with emotion and burst into tears on the green.

His long-term caddie Chad Antus gave his man an encouraging tap on the back and Malnati regained his composure to secure the easy putt.

The final round of 67 at Palm Harbor saw him skyrocket from 184th in the world golf rankings up to a personal high of No65.

At the end of 2023, he was 238th.

And it also guaranteed Malnati a place in the field at the iconic Augusta major next month for the very first time in his 15-year professional career.

Malnati – who plays with a yellow ball because his son likes the colour – could not stop crying during his post-victory TV interview as he held one of the two sons he has with wife Alicia.

Speaking through the tears, he said: “I was so nervous coming down the stretch, in a lot of those shots you can see it – the approach on 16 was terrible.

“I can’t describe it. It’s so cool, it’s so cool to share it with [looks at son]. It’s just amazing.

“You wonder if you’re ever going to do it again because it’s hard. In the nine years since my last win, it’s gotten a lot harder too.

“My family believes in me. I’ve got the best caddie, he’s been loyal to me for a long time through a lot of down times too.

“I’m just so thankful.

“My wife makes this all possible – life is hard, it’s obviously glamorous at times like this and this is my dream job and it’s absolutely amazing.

“But life is really, really hard too when you’re trying to figure out how to live this lifestyle and have two kids and being everything you want to be.

“My wife has been an absolute rock through all of it, she’s amazing. My mum’s here, my family’s amazing, I’ve got my two little boys, this just feels so good.”