Witness the intense final round of The RSM Classic where Ricky Castillo and Lee Hodges fought for their PGA TOUR cards. Castillo, a PGA TOUR rookie, started strong but a missed putt on the 12th hole changed the game. He regrouped with impressive birdies but ultimately fell short. Lee Hodges, battling for full status, had a chance on the 72nd hole but missed the birdie putt by inches. Join us as we relive these dramatic moments and hear from the players themselves about their emotional journeys.
Imagine pouring your heart and soul into every swing, every part, knowing that your entire career hangs in the balance. That’s exactly the pressure Ricky Costillio and Lee Hodgers faced at the RSM Classic, the final event of the FedEx Cup. They both delivered stunning final round performances, but in the brutal world of professional golf, sometimes even your best isn’t enough. The stakes were incredibly high, securing a coveted PGA tour card, guaranteeing full status for the 2026 season. While Sammy Valimoki celebrated a historic victory for Finland, becoming his country’s first PGA Tour winner, Castillo and Hodes were locked in a fierce battle against the FedEx Cup standings where every stroke mattered. Ricky Costillio, a rising star from the University of Florida who earned his tour cut through the 2024 Conferryy Tour and Andrew Putnham, a tour winner back in 2018, emerged as key figures in this dramatic showdown. Putnham started strong with an impressive first round 61, putting him in contention early. Both Castillo and Putnham exploded onto the scene on Sunday, cutting five birdies each in their first seven holes, propelling themselves into the projected top 100. Castillo, starting the week at number 135, knew he needed at least a three-way tie for second place to secure his tour card. He kept the pressure on, making the turn in a blistering 28. But here’s where it gets controversial. Some might argue that such a high pressure system favors established players over newcomers like Castillo. What do you think? However, Putnham faltered on the back nine, succumbing to two bogeies and a costly double bogey on the 14th hole, effectively crushing his hopes of cracking the top 100. Castillo with his brother Derek Kading for him even threatened Valimoki’s lead at one point. But tragedy struck on the par 312 where he missed a heartbreakingly short three-foot par dropping him back to 19 under. Costillo revealed the mental fortitude he’s developed saying honestly 6 months ago if I missed that. I probably end up 16 or 17 under. I’ve just grown so much mentally and emotionally that I was able to totally forget about it and focus on the next shot and end up playing too under coming in. I’m just proud of myself for that. This showcases the immense psychological challenge that golfers face and the importance of mental resilience. Showing incredible grit, Castillo bounced back with consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, including a remarkable 32 footpart on 16. He finished with two pass, cutting a stunning 62 and ending at 21 under, tied for second place with Oklahoma’s Max McGrevy. When he walked off the course, Castillo was projected to be 95th in the standings, desperately hoping his score would hold. But McGrevy had other plans. In a moment of sheer brilliance, he drained a clutch part on the final hole to tie for the lead. And this is the part most people miss. That single part had a ripple effect, bumping Castillo into solo third place and agonizingly outside the FedEx Cup top 100. Despite the disappointment, Costillo will have conditional status for the 2026 season. He also has the opportunity to earn his tour card at the final stage of PGA Tour Q School presented by Conferryy held at TPC Srass Dice Valley course in December. He expressed confidence in his abilities and acknowledged the learning curve of his first full season on the PGA Tour. I feel like everything’s been really close for a long time. Castillo said, “I missed eight cuts by one shot this year. I feel like I learned a lot from playing with Scotty Sheffller in May. Just how his mindset is. I mean, that’s why he’s the best player in the world and he’s constantly the best player in the world. This highlights the importance of learning from the best and adopting a champions mindset. Lee Hodes, the unfortunate Mr. 101 on Sunday also faced immense pressure. Entering the tournament at number 122 and nearing the end of his 2-year winners exemption from his victory at the 2023M Open, Hodges knew he needed a strong performance. Starting the day four shots behind the lead, he surged into contention with a front 933 and added crucial body parts on the back nine. Heading to the final hole projected at number 102, Hodgers hit his approach shot within 10 feet, setting up a massmate birdie part to break into the top 100. The tension was palpable. He missed by inches, a heartbreaking moment that encapsulated the brutal reality of professional golf. He signed for his third 66 of the week, finishing in a tie for fourth place. I made so many putts out there today of distance. Hodgees said to miss one on number 18 and say it’s that fault that’s unfair to my putter. This quote speaks volumes about the mental game and the acceptance of unavoidable misfortune in such a demanding sport. Hodgers had faced adversity earlier in the year, cracking a rib in February and enduring five consecutive mis cuts starting in April. Now healthy and back in form, this marked his first top 20 finish since June, proving his resilience and determination. Doug Gim, another player on the bubble, tied the seaside course record on Thursday and carded a final round 66 to finish T7 and number 113 in the FedEx Cup. It stings, Gim said. I feel like I’ve had my opportunities this week and the entire season. I have the power to make any year a good year. Who knows? Garrick Higo won early in the season this year on conditional status at the Coralles Pontana Championship and ended up playing on this tour anyway. Long-standing PGA Tour players Bo Hustler and Matt Cooer also fell short of securing their spots in the top 100. Hustler finished at number 104 and Coocher at number 118. In a contrasting story, Japan’s Tukumi Konaya, who missed the cut on Friday, became the last player not already exempt to earn his tour card, finishing at number 99 in the FedEx Cup standings, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport. The RSM Classic served as a stark reminder of the cut competition and high stakes on the PGA Tour. It’s a world where dreams are realized and shattered in a single stroke. What do you think about the pressure these players face? Is the current system fair to all or does it need adjustments to better reward consistent performance throughout the season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
