PGA TOUR RSM Classic drama unfolds as Ricky Castillo and Lee Hodges battle for FedExCup top 100 status. Watch Castillo’s emotional final round charge with a 62, tying for second before heartbreak. Lee Hodges misses crucial putt on 18, falling just short. Discover the stories of Sami Valimaki’s victory, Andrew Putnam’s early exit, and Doug Ghim’s resilience. Insights into rookie Ricky Castillo’s mental growth, inspired by playing with Scottie Scheffler, and his path to Q-School. Dive into the high-stakes action on Sea Island’s Seaside Course, where birdies and bogeys decided PGA TOUR fates for 2026. Key moments include Castillo’s 32-foot birdie on 16 and Hodges’ near-miss. Perfect for golf fans following PGA TOUR cards, FedExCup standings, and rookie journeys.
The RSM Classic, the final event of the FedEx Cup fall, was a thrilling spectacle on Sunday with intense competition for PGA Tour cards. While Sammy Valamaki made history as Finland’s first PGA Tour winner, the battle for the top 100 bubble status was a roller coaster of emotions. Two players, Ricky Castillo and Andrew Putnham, emerged as the focus of attention during the final round. Castillo, a PGA Tour rookie and University of Florida standout, had earned his card through the 2024 Cornferry Tour. Putnham, a tour winner in 2018, made a strong start with a first round 61 at Sea Island. Both players began the final round with a bang, birdieing five of their first seven holes. Castillo, who needed a top three finish to secure his tour card, maintained his momentum on the front nine, shooting a remarkable 28. Putnham, however, struggled on the back nine with two bogeies and a double bogey on the 14th, effectively ending his chances. Castillo, with his brother Derek as his caddy, kept up the pressure on Valamaki until a crucial moment on the par 312th. He missed a three-foot par putt, which brought him back to 19 under, but here’s where it gets controversial. Castillo’s mental fortitude shown through. He reflected, “6 months ago, I probably would have let that affect me, but I’ve grown so much and I was able to forget about it and focus on the next shot. I played two under coming in, and I’m proud of myself for that.” He regrouped with consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, including a 32 ft putt on the ladder. Castillo finished with two pars, carding a 62 and reaching 21 under, tied for second place with Max McGrevy. At that moment, he was projected at 95th in the standings, hoping his score would hold for a top two finish. However, McGrevy had a surprise in store. He sank a crucial putt on the final hole, sharing the lead and pushing Castillo into solo third place, just outside the FedEx Cup top 100. Castillo will now have conditional status for the 2026 season and will aim to earn his tour card at the final stage of PGA Tour Q School. And this is the part most people miss. Castillo expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, “I feel like I’ve been so close for a long time. I missed eight cuts by one shot this year. I learned a lot from playing with Scotty Sheffller, understanding his mindset. That’s why he is the best player in the world. Another player who just missed out on the top 100 was Lee Hodes, a native of Alabama. Starting the tournament at number 122, Hodgees knew he needed a strong performance to secure full status. He played exceptionally well, shooting a front 933 and making some crucial birdie putts on the back nine. Heading into the final hole projected at number 102, Hajes struck his approach shot to 10 ft, setting up a make orb breakak birdie putt. Unfortunately, he missed by inches, a gut-wrenching moment that cost him a spot in the top 100. Hajes reflected, “I made so many putts today.” To say it’s my putter’s fault for missing that one on the 18th would be unfair. Hajes had a challenging year, cracking a rib in February and missing several events. He then recorded five straight missed cuts starting in April. Despite these setbacks, his performance at the RSM Classic marked his first top 20 finish since June. Other notable players who fell short of the top 100 bubble include Doug Gim, Bo Hustler, and Matt Coocher. Gim, who started the week at number 125, tied the seaside course record on Thursday and finished T7, ending at number 113. Hustler and Cooer finished at 9 under and 8 under, respectively, placing them outside the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings. The final tour card went to Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, who had to wait until the RSM Classic cut to secure his spot at number 99 in the FedEx Cup. So, what do you think? Are you surprised by the outcomes? Who do you think will make a comeback next season? Let us know in the comments.
