Sami Valimaki Leads RSM Classic – PGA TOUR Title Chase at Sea Island!

RSM Classic PGA TOUR golf Sami Valimaki lead final round Sea Island
Dive into the exciting action from The RSM Classic at Sea Island! Finnish golfer Sami Valimaki fired a blistering 5-under 65, highlighted by four straight birdies, to grab a two-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round. With the PGA TOUR season winding down, this tournament is crucial for retaining cards and clinching titles.
Key highlights include Valimaki’s impressive run on the front nine, putting him at 19-under 193. He’s ahead of Stanford alumni Michael Thorbjornsen and Patrick Rodgers, both with 68s. Rodgers, with four runner-ups, including a playoff loss at Sea Island, shares wisdom on building a quality game.
Also chasing are Zac Blair, Andrew Novak, and Johnny Keefer, who have their own FedExCup battles. Novak, a Zurich Classic winner, eyes his first individual title. Don’t miss the pressure on players like Seamus Power and Lee Hodges for top 100 finishes.
This video covers the round 3 highlights, player stories, and what’s at stake in the PGA TOUR finale. Perfect for golf fans tracking the leaderboard and championship drama!

Imagine being on the cusp of achieving your lifelong dream. A single round of golf separating you from your first PGA to a victory. That’s the pressure cooker Sami Velamaki found himself in at the RSM Classic, leading by two strokes heading into the final round. But here’s where it gets controversial. Is a first time win more about talent, luck, or the sheer desperation of those fighting to keep their careers alive? This year’s RSM Classic at Sea Island wasn’t just another tournament. It was the season finale, a lastditch effort for many players to secure their PGA Tour cards for the following year. The Associated Press reported that amidst this highstakes battle for survival, Sami Valamaki, a talented player from Finland, seized the spotlight. Velamaki put together a stunning round of five under 65 on Saturday, propelled by an impressive streak of four consecutive birdies on the front nine. This performance catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard at 19 under 193, giving him a two-shot advantage over his closest competitors. Trailing Valamaki were Michael Thorb Johnson and Patrick Rogers, both Stanford University alumni, albeit from different generations. each carded a solid 68. Rogers, a season player with 311 PGA Tour starts, was once the world’s topranked amateur when he left Stanford back in 2014. Thorb Johnson, on the other hand, earned the number one spot in the PGA Tour University ranking upon graduating college in 2024. Rogers has tasted victory but not quite on the PGA Tour, finishing runner up four times, including a painful playoff loss at Sea Island in 2018 to Charles How 3. Roger’s reflection on the game highlights the mental fortitude required to compete at this level. It’s just unfortunately in this game you can’t control the outcomes, Rogers said. I really try hard to control the outcomes, but it doesn’t work. I need to be the best version of myself that I can be. Look to build a really quality golf game and trust that that’s going to give me the most opportunities throughout the season. This is a sentiment many golfers can relate to. The constant battle between striving for control and accepting the unpredictable nature of the sport. Zack Blair, sitting three shots back after a stellar 64, faced an uphill battle. He needed a victory to have any realistic shot at finishing within the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings. And this is the part most people miss. The FedEx Cup isn’t just about prestige. It’s about securing your future on the tour. Joining Blair at 16 under 196 were Andrew Novak, 70, and Johnny Kefir, 67. Kefir, the corn ferry tour player of the year, has already secured his card for 2026. However, he now had an even bigger opportunity within his grasp. A strong finish could propel him into the top 50 in the world rankings, earning him a coveted invitation to the Mast’s tournament. It’s amazing how quickly fortunes can change in professional golf. Novak has experienced team success, winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Ben Griffin. But an individual PGA Tour title has eluded him. Velaki’s impressive run began with a precise shot to within 12 ft on the par 36th hole, resulting in a birdie. He then reached the par 57th in two, followed by a wedge shot to within 18 in on the eighth and capped it off with an approach shot to within 3 ft on the 9th. Valamaki himself acknowledged the significance of the crowd’s reaction to his shots. “I haven’t had any claps this week, so I knew when I heard the claps, it should be pretty close,” Valamaki said, showcasing the pressure and the heightened awareness that comes with being in contention. “While a PGA to a victory remained elusive, Valamaki has a proven track record of success with two runner-up finishes south of the border. He finished second at the Mexico Open the previous year and tied for second at the Worldwide Technology Championship alongside Griffin just two weeks prior. In the race to secure a PGA Tour card, Sheamus Power of Ireland 65 and Lee Hodgers 66 were tied for seventh, giving them a reasonable chance of achieving their goal depending on the performance of the players ahead of them. Andrew Putnham, currently ranked number 119, struggled with a 69, causing him to slip 10 spots on the leaderboard to a tie for 17th. In the end, Sami Valamaki did not win the tournament, but the event showcased the drama and pressure that defines the PGA Tour season finale. What are your thoughts? Do you think the pressure of playing for your career makes it harder or easier to win? Is it fair that players can secure their tour card based on just one week of performance? Let us know in the comments below.