PGA TOUR RSM Classic FedExCup Ricky Castillo Lee Hodges golf drama tour card chase
Dive into the thrilling final round at The RSM Classic where Ricky Castillo and Lee Hodges battled for PGA TOUR cards. Castillo’s emotional journey, missing a crucial putt but finishing strong with a 62, and Hodges’ heartbreaking near-miss on the 18th hole. Featuring highlights from Sami Valimaki’s win, Andrew Putnam’s comeback, and more FedExCup bubble drama. Learn about conditional status, Q-School opportunities, and the mental growth of PGA TOUR rookies. Perfect for golf fans following the FedExCup Fall season and tour card battles.
the final round of the RSM Classic delivered a roller coaster of emotions as golfers battled for their PGA Tour futures. But here’s where it gets controversial. Despite valiant efforts, Ricky Castillo and Lee Hodges fell just short of securing their tour cards, leaving fans and critics alike debating what could have been. In a thrilling conclusion to the FedEx Cup fall season, Finland’s Sammy Valamaki emerged victorious, claiming his first PGA tour win. Yet, the real drama unfolded around the top 100 bubble, where every birdie and bogey carried the weight of a golfer’s career. Two players in particular captured the spotlight. Ricky Castillo, a PGA Tour rookie and University of Florida standout, and Andrew Putnham, a 2018 tour winner, both charged out of the gates, birdieing five of their first seven holes to surge into contention. Castillo, starting the week at number 135, needed nothing short of a miracle, a three-way tie for second place to secure his card. With his brother Derek catting, he blazed through the front nine with a 28, momentarily threatening Valamaki’s lead. But G’s cruel unpredictability struck on the par 312th where a missed three-foot par derailed his momentum. And this is the part most people miss. Castillo’s mental resilience shone as he regrouped, carding backto-back birdies on numbers 15 to 16, including a clutch 32 ft putt on 16. He finished with a 62, tying for second place, only to be bumped to solo third when Max McGrevy sunk a dramatic 30foot birdie on the final hole, pushing Castillo out of the top 100. I’ve grown so much mentally and emotionally, Castillo reflected. 6 months ago, missing that part would have crushed me. Now I just focus on the next shot. his conditional status for 2026 and a shot at Q School offer a silver lining, but the sting of falling short remains. Is the PGA Tours bubble system too harsh or does it ensure only the most deserving players advance? Let’s discuss in the comments. Lee Hodgers, another golfer on the bubble, faced a similar fate. Entering at number 122 and nearing the end of his 2-year exemption, Hodges needed a career-defining week. He delivered a stellar performance carding 366, but his fate hung on a 10- ft birdie putt on the 72nd hole. Missing by inches, he finished just outside the top 100. A heartbreaking end to a valiant effort. I made so many putts today, Hodges said. To miss that one feels unfair, but it’s part of the game. Hodgers’s journey has been anything but smooth. from a cracked rib in February to five consecutive missed cuts. His resurgence to form is a testament to his grit. Yet the question lingers, does the tours system adequately reward consistency or does it favor fleeting brilliance? Other notables like Doug Gim, Bo Hustler, and Matt Cuchara also fell short while Japan’s Tkumi Canaya secured the final tour card at number 99. As the dust settles, Castillo and Hodges are left to ponder what could have been, while fans are left with a thought-provoking debate. In the highstakes world of professional golf, is the line between success and failure too thin? Share your thoughts below. Do these players deserve another chance, or is the system fair as is?
