First PGA Tour-sanctioned win helped former Ohio State star put struggles behind him

• Maxwell Moldovan is looking ahead after earning his first golf win at the PGA Tour Americas ECP Brazil Open in April.
• Moldovan sank a 50-foot putt for eagle on 18 to win the ECP Brazil Open.
• Moldovan also recently played in his fourth U.S. Open.

TUSCARAWAS TWP., Ohio — Maxwell Moldovan still beams about his first PGA win.

Wouldn't you if you sank a 50-foot putt for eagle on 18 to achieve it?

That's how Moldovan wrapped up his first pro win in April at the PGA Tour Americas ECP Brazil Open. The former Green High School and Ohio State University golfer finished at 18-under, one shot ahead of the United States' George Markham.

"When you're dreaming of a putt to win a tournament, it's usually like a tap in or a 5, 10 footer," Moldovan said after shooting 3-under 69 in the Tigertown Open on Friday, July 18 at The Elms Country Club. "When a 50-footer goes in, I looked straight up and pointed to God. I hit the putt, but ultimately He let it go in."

Moldovan fired rounds of 63, 67, 68 and 68 in his first PGA Tour-sanctioned win. It came after he missed eight cuts in nine PGA Tour Americas events during his 2024 debut season.

"I just wasn't quite comfortable my first year as a pro," Moldovan said. "I was putting a lot of pressure on myself and just not playing my game. I was kind of crooked off the tee for a little bit. I've always been really straight off the tee. That has been my strength. I spent this off-season trying to get that back. ... Then I started working with a mental coach which has done leaps and bounds for me

"I was getting kind of anxious that pro golf was going to take a long time for me to get where I wanted to go. It still might, but I definitely feel a lot more confident in my game."

Moldovan's initial struggles as a pro put him in uncharted territory. The 23-year-old won two high school state championships at Green and was an All-American at Ohio State multiple times. He knew nothing but success.

"I never really went through a couple weeks or a couple months of really struggling with my game," Moldovan said. "On top of that, now I'm playing pro golf, I'm doing it for a living and I've got a wife. There's just a lot of available pressure."

Moldovan's winning putt in Brazil was one of two eagles that gained him notoriety this year. The other came on the first hole in the first round of last month's U.S. Open, where he holed out from 189 yards.

This was the fourth time Moldovan qualified for the U.S. Open. He made the cut in 2023.

"Lord willing, playing in the U.S. Open is starting to become a habit," Moldovan said. "It's kind of a cool experience. Every year I get back there no matter where my game is at. I feel like I'm at least turning in the right direction."

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