In a day full of emotions and unexpected changes, Sami Valimaki made history by becoming the first Finnish golfer to win a PGA Tour tournament. The triumph was achieved at the RSM Classic, an event that closed the season, where tension took over the atmosphere in the last hour of competition in Sea Island. Valimaki, who had previously achieved two runner-up finishes in the last two seasons, demonstrated his skill with the putter, achieving a masterful shot from off the green on the 16th hole, followed by an 18-foot putt. Despite the changes in wind direction, he remained firm in the final holes.
Drama in the FedEx Cup Rankings
The competition to secure a spot among the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings added a dramatic component to the tournament. The top 100 ranked players, instead of the 125 from previous years, will earn full cards for the PGA Tour in the 2026 season, where the fields will be smaller. Ricky Castillo, with an impressive opening round of 28 strokes in the first nine holes and a total of 62, seemed to be securing his move from 135th place to the top 100. However, Max McGreevy, with a birdie on the last hole and a card of 63, relegated him to 102nd place by a minimal margin of points. Lee Hodges, for his part, had the opportunity to climb into the top 100, but a missed birdie attempt left him in 101st place in the FedEx Cup, just two points away from qualifying. Valimaki, with two previous victories on the European circuit and a recent runner-up finish in Mexico, secured his place on the PGA Tour for two years and his participation in the first two featured events of 2026, by finishing in 51st place in the FedEx Cup.McGreevy, with his card already secured, climbed to 60th place, which will allow him to participate in the most important events of next year. This result displaced Jordan Spieth from the 60th position, who will have to seek invitations for the Pebble Beach and Riviera tournaments. Nico Echavarria, with a round of 65 strokes, tied for fourth place and secured his place among the 51-60 positions, which will allow him to participate in the prominent events on the west coast. Sam Stevens achieved a hole-in-one on the third hole, and finished with a score of 63 strokes, tying for seventh place. Stevens had already secured his participation in the most important events, and his goal was to stay in the top 50 of the world ranking to secure his place in the Masters. The excitement continues, as Johnny Keefer, the Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year, entered the week in 50th place.It’s been a long road. I feel like it’s been a tough year, even when I was playing decent golf, and then to keep pushing and finding good moments in the last tournaments, it’s incredible.
Sami Valimaki
