Sami Valimaki becomes Finland’s first PGA TOUR champion at the RSM Classic, the season’s final event. Valimaki’s victory was a close call, as the top 100 in the FedExCup standings secured full PGA TOUR cards for 2026. Ricky Castillo’s 62 and Max McGreevy’s birdie putt on 18 added drama to the final day. McGreevy’s finish bumped Jordan Spieth from Signature Events. Nico Echavarria and Sam Stevens also secured spots in the West Coast Signature Events.
PGATOUR #RSMClassic #SamiValimaki
In a thrilling finish to the golf season, Sammy Valamaki emerged as Finland’s first PGA Tour champion. But the real drama unfolded in the battle for tour cards and coveted spots in the 2026 signature events. A historic win for Finland. Valamaki’s victory at the RSM Classic was a long time coming. With two runner-up finishes in recent seasons, he finally sealed the deal with a one-shot win, showcasing his resilience on the green. But the story doesn’t end there. The final hour twist. As Valamaki secured his triumph, the tournament’s final hour delivered a roller coaster of emotions for those vying for PGA Tour cards. The top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings, reduced from 125 in previous years, guaranteed full cards for the 2026 season. And the competition was fierce. The race for top 100, Ricky Castillo’s impressive front nine and a final score of 62 seemed like a ticket to the top 100. But in a dramatic turn, Max McGrevy’s 30foot birdie putt on the 18th hole snatched second place, pushing Castillo to 102nd by a slim margin. Lee Hajes, just two points shy of the top 100, missed a crucial birdie attempt, leaving him at 100. Valamaki’s rewards. Valamaki, already a two-time DP World Tour winner, now enjoys a 2-year PGA Tour exemption. His 51st place finish in the FedEx Cup assures him of playing in the lucrative 2026 signature events. McGrevy’s rise, McGrevy, with his card secured, climbed to 60th, qualifying for the signature events. This move bumped Jordan Speed out of the top 60, requiring him to seek sponsor exemptions. McGrevy’s freedom from card pressure allowed him to play with remarkable composure. Signature events qualifiers. Nico Echavaria’s tie for fourth secured his place in the West Coast signature events. Sam Stevens, already qualified, aced the third hole with a nine iron, finishing in an 11-way tie for seventh. He aims to maintain his world ranking to secure a master’s invitation. Controversial finish. The final standings are too close to call with Johnny Kefir, the corn ferry tour player of the year, and Sam Stevens in a tight race for the Masters. But here’s where it gets controversial. Should players who just missed the cut for automatic qualification be given a second chance? Is it fair to those who made the top 100? Share your thoughts in the comments.
