In an exciting season finale at the RSM Classic, Sami Valimaki made history by becoming the first Finnish golfer to win a PGA Tour tournament. The competition, full of unexpected twists, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the last moment.
Valimaki: A Historic Triumph
Valimaki, who had previously achieved two runner-up finishes in the last two seasons, demonstrated his skill on the field. His consistent and strategic play, including a putt from off the green on the 16th hole and an impressive 18-foot putt, secured his victory with a final round of 66 strokes, four under par. Despite the changes in wind direction, Valimaki remained calm and sealed his triumph with a one-stroke lead.The Fight for the PGA Tour Card
The tournament was crucial for players seeking to secure their place among the top 100 in the FedEx Cup ranking, which guarantees them a full card for the 2026 season, where the fields will be smaller. Ricky Castillo, with an outstanding performance that included a 28 in the first nine holes and a round of 62, seemed to be on track to enter 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 very narrow margin. Lee Hodges, for his part, was close to securing his place in the top 100, but a failed birdie attempt left him in 101st place, just two points away. Valimaki, with this victory, secures his participation in the first two events of 2026 with a prize of 20 million dollars by finishing in 51st place in the FedEx Cup.McGreevy, by securing his card, climbed to 60th place and also qualified for next year’s major events. This result displaced Jordan Spieth from 60th place, meaning Spieth will need invitations for the Pebble Beach and Riviera tournaments. Nico Echavarria, with a round of 65, tied for fourth place and secured a spot in the West Coast events. Sam Stevens achieved a hole-in-one on the third hole and finished with a card of 63, tying for seventh place. His focus was on staying in the top 50 of the world ranking to secure his place in the Masters. The excitement continued until the end, with players like Johnny Keefer, who arrived at the tournament in 50th place. Both players are in a favorable position to move up in the ranking, with remaining tournaments in Australia and South Africa.“It’s been a long road, of course. I feel like it’s been a really tough year, even when I played decent golf, and then to keep pushing and find some good rhythms in the last tournaments, it’s incredible!”
Sami Valimaki
