In a day filled with emotions and unexpected twists, Sami Valimaki made history by becoming the first Finnish golfer to win a PGA Tour tournament. The victory was achieved at the RSM Classic, the event that closed the season, held in Sea Island. Valimaki closed the tournament with a round of 66 strokes (-4), securing the victory by one stroke. The golfer demonstrated his composure, especially in the final holes, where the wind direction changed suddenly. His strategy included a putt from off the green on the 16th hole and an 18-foot putt.
Drama in the Classification
The competition to secure a spot among the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings, which grants full cards for the PGA Tour in 2026, added an extra layer of drama to the tournament. This season, the list was reduced to the top 100, compared to the 125 of previous years, intensifying the fight. Ricky Castillo delivered an outstanding performance, with a first round of 28 strokes and a final round of 62. Initially, it seemed that this result would secure him a place among the top 100, rising from 135th place. However, Max McGreevy, with a birdie on the last hole, completed a round of 63, which placed him in second place and relegated Castillo to 102nd place, by a minimal margin of points. Lee Hodges had the opportunity to enter the top 100, but a 10-foot birdie attempt narrowly missed. With a pair of 66 strokes, he placed 101st in the FedEx Cup standings, also by a narrow margin of points.Upon completion of the RSM Classic, the players ranked 95th to 100th remained unchanged.
Valimaki, who already had two victories on the European Tour and had been runner-up two weeks earlier in Mexico, secured a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. In addition, he guaranteed his participation in the first two events of 2026, with prizes of $20 million, by finishing in 51st place in the FedEx Cup.McGreevy, who already had his card secured, advanced to 60th place, which allowed him to qualify for the featured events of next year. This result displaced Jordan Spieth from 60th place, who will now need invitations for the Pebble Beach and Riviera tournaments. McGreevy played with freedom, knowing he didn’t have to fight for his card.It’s been a long road, of course. I feel like it’s been a really difficult 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
Nico Echavarria, with a round of 65, tied for fourth place and secured a spot in the featured events on the west coast. Sam Stevens achieved a hole-in-one on the third hole and finished with a round of 63, tying for seventh place. Stevens had already secured his participation in the featured events. His goal was to stay in the top 50 in the world to secure a spot in the Masters. The situation is uncertain for Johnny Keefer, the Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year, who arrived at the tournament in 50th place. Both players are in seventh place and could move up in the rankings, considering the remaining tournaments in Australia and South Africa.I’ve never felt so nervous. I felt like I was playing to win. Fortunately, my best golf came out at the end of the year.
Max McGreevy
