Sami Valimaki Makes History: First Finnish Triumph on the PGA Tour
In an emotional closing at the RSM Classic, Sami Valimaki became the first Finnish golfer to win a PGA Tour tournament. With a final round of 4 under par (66 strokes), Valimaki secured the victory by one stroke in the season-closing event. Valimaki demonstrated his composure in crucial moments, effectively using his putter and remaining calm despite the changes in wind conditions. The competition to secure a spot among the top 100 of the FedEx Cup, which grants full PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season, added an extra layer of drama. Ricky Castillo delivered an outstanding performance with a 62 in the final round, aiming to climb the rankings. However, Max McGreevy, with a birdie on the last hole, relegated him to 102nd place. Lee Hodges had the opportunity to enter the top 100, but a missed putt left him in 101st place, just two points away. Valimaki, with this victory, secured his participation in the first two events of 2026 with prizes of 20 million dollars, thanks to his position at 51st in the FedEx Cup.McGreevy, already with his card secured, climbed to 60th place and also qualified for the important events of next year. His performance affected Jordan Spieth, who will now need invitations to participate in the Pebble Beach and Riviera tournaments. Nico Echavarria shot a 65 and placed between 51st-60th, securing his spot in the West Coast events. Sam Stevens made a hole-in-one and finished with a 63, which allowed him to tie for seventh place. His focus was on staying in the top 50 of the world ranking to secure his place in the Masters. The competition for the 50th position, which grants a place in the Masters, was very close, with Johnny Keefer also in the fight.“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 moments in the last tournaments, it feels incredible,” commented Valimaki.
Sami Valimaki
