RSM Classic 2025: Valimaki Leads, Thorbjornsen & Rodgers Chase

The RSM Classic is heating up as Finland’s Sami Valimaki takes control, aiming for a historic win. With winds expected to ease on Sunday, the final round promises an exciting shootout at St. Simons Island.
Valimaki, at 19-under, is the clear favorite after a stellar 65 in Round 3, but he’s being chased by Michael Thorbjornsen and Patrick Rodgers, both just two strokes behind. Thorbjornsen, a PGA TOUR University graduate, is seeking his first win after four top-5 finishes this season. Rodgers, a Sea Island regular, is looking to convert after multiple runner-up finishes.
Other contenders include Zac Blair, Andrew Novak, and Johnny Keefer at 16-under, and a group of six players at 15-under, including Si Woo Kim and Lee Hodges.
Who will triumph in the season’s final round? Will Valimaki make history, or will Thorbjornsen or Rodgers seize the opportunity? Tune in for a thrilling conclusion!

Get ready for a thrilling Sunday showdown at the RSM Classic where Finland’s Sarmi Velmari is on the brink of making history, but don’t count your birdies just yet. With a trip to the 2026 signature events on the line, Velari holds the lead. But a shifting breeze and a pack of hungry contenders could turn this into anyone’s game. And this is the part most people miss. While Velari looks like the man to beat, the final rounds Karma wins might just level the playing field. giving chasers a fighting chance. The third round was a brutal test of skill and patience as gusty southwest winds turned the course into a fairway finding challenge. Overnight leader Andrew Novak felt the brunt, slipping to a tie for fourth after a 70 left him at 16 under. Meanwhile, Velimari surged from plus 900 odds to the plus 160 favorite with a stellar 5 under 65, putting him at 19 under. But here’s where it gets controversial. Can Vela Marquy hold off the likes of Patrick Rogers, a Sea Island regular with a runner-up finish in 2019, or Michael Thorp Johnson, who’s knocking on the door after 88 here last year. Rogers sits two back at 17 under, while Thorb Johnson matches him stroke for stroke. Zack Blair, fresh off backto-back 64s on the seaside course, joins Novak and Johnny Kefir at 16 under. And let’s not forget the group at 15 under, including Siwu Kim, Sheamus Power, and Lee Hodgeges, who are all within striking distance. Sunday’s forecast promises gentler conditions, but the breezes late shift could mix things up just enough to keep everyone guessing. Here’s the burning question. Will Velamari become Finland’s first PGA Tour winner, or will someone like Rogers finally break his run-up curves? Thorb Johnson’s odds of plus 450 are tempting, especially after for top five finishes this season, but can he dial in his approach shots when it matters most? Or will Hudges fighting to secure his tour card rise to the occasion under pressure? For the bold betters, Sai Wu Kim at plus 2,000 could be a high reward long shot given his knack for birdie streaks. If you’re looking for a safer play, consider Thorb Johnson outright at plus 450. His driving power and three putt avoidance make him a strong contender. Though his approach game needs to sharpen for a riskier but rewarding bet, Hud’s top five and ties a plus 260 could pay off if he channels his urgency into birdies. But here’s the real debate. Is Velmar’s lead unshakable or is this the day an underdog steals the spotlight? Let us know your take in the comments. Who’s your pick to win the RSM Classic?