Valimaki leads RSM Classic: Seeks his first PGA Tour title

Valimaki Takes the Lead at the RSM Classic

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Sami Valimaki of Finland put together an impressive birdie streak, achieving four in a row to close out the front nine. His performance culminated in a round of 65 strokes, five under par, which gave him a two-stroke lead at the RSM Classic, the final event of the PGA Tour season, heading into Saturday’s final round. This tournament in Sea Island is crucial for many players, as it represents the last opportunity to secure their PGA Tour card for next year. Now, it has transformed into a possibility for several golfers to obtain their first title on the circuit. Valimaki positioned himself at 19 under par, with a total of 193 strokes, surpassing by two Michael Thorbjornsen and Patrick Rodgers, who registered 68 strokes each. Both players are Stanford graduates, although from different generations. Rodgers, who was the world number one in the amateur ranking before leaving Stanford in 2014, and Thorbjornsen, who led the PGA Tour University ranking upon completing his studies in 2024, are looking to excel in this tournament. Rodgers has participated in 311 PGA Tour tournaments, with four second-place finishes, including a playoff loss in 2018 at Sea Island.

It’s unfortunate that in this sport you can’t control the results. I really strive to control them, but it doesn’t always work. I must be the best version of myself, focus on building a quality golf game, and trust that that will give me the greatest opportunities during the season.

Patrick Rodgers

The group that is three strokes away includes Zac Blair (64), who needs to win to have any chance of finishing in the top 100 in the FedEx Cup. Also at 16 under par, with a total of 196 strokes, are Andrew Novak (70) and Johnny Keefer (67), the Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year, who has already secured his card for 2026 and now has a great opportunity to stay in the top 50 in the world and qualify for the Masters. Novak, along with Ben Griffin, won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, but has yet to achieve an individual title on the PGA Tour. Valimaki’s outstanding performance began with a shot that left the ball 12 feet from the hole for birdie on the par 3, 6th hole. Then, he reached the green in two shots on the par 5, 7th hole, left his wedge shot 18 inches on the 8th hole and got his approach within 3 feet on the 9th hole.

I haven’t had any applause this week, so I knew that when I heard the applause, I must be pretty close.

Sami Valimaki

Valimaki has two second-place finishes in his history, both in tournaments outside the United States. He was runner-up at the Mexico Open a year ago and tied for second place at the World Wide Technology Championship with Griffin two weeks ago in Baja California. Regarding the fight to finish among the top 100 to secure the PGA Tour card, Séamus Power of Ireland (65) and Lee Hodges (66) are tied for seventh place and have a reasonable chance, depending on the performance of the players ahead of them. Andrew Putnam, ranked 119th, shot a round of 69 strokes, which, with a moderate wind, caused him to fall back in the rankings. Putnam dropped 10 positions, tying for 17th place.