Mathieu Pavon's Unique Tattoo And The Reason Behind It

Matthieu Pavon’s confidence is at an all-time high. 

In the past twelve months he has secured his PGA card, won his first PGA Tour event and carded two eagles in the space of six holes in the opening round of the 2024 US Open.

The inspiration of such confidence comes in part from a unique tattoo etched on his right hand.

“The saliva that flows now will become the tears of joy tomorrow” reads the permanent ink. Pavon himself told the PGA Tour the quote comes “from Havard”, but the original source is not known.

“I wanted to get a tattoo one day I was home and then I decided to write down a quote. It’s really a meaningful sentence for me” said Pavon.

“This is why I work hard every day to get those tears back when I lift the trophy.”

Pavon was visibly emotional after holing clutch birdie putt on the last to defeat Nicolai Hojgaard by one stroke at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. 

It wasn’t just an emotional moment for Pavon. The French commentary team broadcasting the tournament in his home country screamed in delight as the final putt dropped as Pavon became the first Frenchman ever to win on the PGA Tour.

Pavon bounced back from a costly bogey on the 17th and a wayward drive on 18 to birdie the par 5 18th at Torrey Pines in what proved to be the perfect start to his rookie year on the PGA Tour.

The Frenchman took home north of $1.6 million for his victory in California and is now exempt into all four Major championships this year. The saliva that flowed proved to be worth the sacrifice.