In an emotional day at Sea Island, Sami Valimaki made history by becoming the first Finnish golfer to win a PGA Tour tournament. The event, the RSM Classic, marked the end of the season and was full of unexpected twists.
Valimaki Dominates with Solidity
Valimaki, who had previously achieved two runner-up finishes in the last two seasons, demonstrated his composure by closing with a round of 66 strokes (-4). His consistent play, including a crucial putt from off the green on the 16th hole and another of 18 feet, secured him the victory by one stroke. The wind, which suddenly changed direction, failed to destabilize Valimaki, who remained calm until the end.Drama in the PGA Tour Card Fight
The competition to secure a place among the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings, which grants a full PGA Tour card, generated moments of high tension. Ricky Castillo, with an impressive round of 62, seemed to be securing his place, but the appearance of Max McGreevy changed the landscape. McGreevy, with a birdie on the last hole, climbed positions and relegated Castillo to 102nd place by a minimal margin.Lee Hodges also had a golden opportunity, but a missed putt left him in 101st place, just a few points away from qualifying. McGreevy, with his card already secured, climbed to 60th place, which guarantees his participation in the most prestigious events of next year. Nico Echavarria, with a round of 65, secured a spot in the group of players who will compete in the west coast events. Sam Stevens achieved a hole-in-one on the third hole, securing his participation in the most important events. The excitement continues, with pending tournaments in Australia and South Africa that could further change the rankings.“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 going and find some good moments in the last tournaments, it’s incredible!”
Sami Valimaki
