Valimaki makes history: First PGA Tour title for Finland at RSM Classic

In a day full of emotions and unexpected twists, Sami Valimaki made history by becoming the first Finnish golfer to win a PGA Tour tournament. The event, held at the RSM Classic, saw the players’ expectations fluctuate dramatically in the last hour of play. Valimaki, who had previously achieved two runner-up finishes in the last two seasons, demonstrated his skill on the course, using his putter effectively and remaining calm in the face of changes in wind direction.

Drama in the FedEx Cup Rankings

The tournament was crucial in defining the PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season, where the top 100 players in the FedEx Cup standings secure their place. The competition was intense, with several players battling for a spot in the top 100. Ricky Castillo, with an impressive opening round, seemed to be on his way to securing his place. However, Max McGreevy, with a birdie on the last hole, relegated him to 102nd place by a narrow margin. Lee Hodges, for his part, had a birdie attempt that did not materialize, which prevented him from entering the top 100. Valimaki, with this victory, secured his two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and his participation in the first two signature events of 2026, finishing in 51st place in the FedEx Cup.

It’s been a long road, of course. I feel like it’s a really tough year, even when I played decent golf, and then keep pushing and finding some good rhythms in the last tournaments, it feels incredible!

Sami Valimaki

McGreevy, with his outstanding performance, rose to the 60th position, ensuring his participation in the prominent events of next year. This, in turn, affected the position of Jordan Spieth, who will now need sponsor exemptions to participate in Pebble Beach and Riviera. Nico Echavarria achieved an outstanding performance with a round of 65, securing his place in the featured events on the West Coast. Sam Stevens, with a hole-in-one, finished in a tie for seventh place and remained in the top 50 of the world ranking. The competition to secure a place in the Masters remained intense, with Johnny Keefer also in the fight.