PGA TOUR, RSM Classic, Ricky Castillo, Lee Hodges, FedExCup, golf drama
Dive into the thrilling final round at The RSM Classic where PGA TOUR rookies Ricky Castillo and Lee Hodges battled for their 2026 cards. Watch Castillo’s incredible 62 and comeback after missing a crucial putt, and Hodges’ heartbreaking near-miss on the 18th hole. Featuring highlights from Sami Valimaki’s victory, Max McGreevy’s clutch putt, and more FedExCup bubble drama on Sea Island’s Seaside Course.
This video covers the intense golf action, player emotions, and key moments that decided who secures full PGA TOUR status. Perfect for golf fans following the Korn Ferry Tour graduates and veterans like Andrew Putnam and Doug Ghim.
Learn about the mental growth Castillo experienced, inspired by playing with Scottie Scheffler, and Hodges’ return from injury. See birdies, bogeys, and the top-100 bubble bursting in this must-watch PGA TOUR recap.
What a heart-wrenching twist of fate. Golfers on the brink of securing their PJ tour dreams only to see them slip away by the thinnest of margins. It’s the kind of drama that keeps fans glued to the screen, wondering if sheer grit and skill can ever outshine the cruel luck of the leaderboard. As we dive into the final round of the RSM Classic, the concluding event of the FedEx Cup fall season, you’ll see how the battle for PGA Tour Cards turned into a nail-biting thriller on Sea Island Seaside Course. But here’s where it gets controversial. Does the FedEx Cup systems bubble truly reward the best players? Or is it just the lottery of birdies and bogeies? Stick around because this story of near misses and emotional highs might just change how you view golf’s biggest stage. Imagine the tension. The PGA Tours FedEx Cup is like a big tournament season that crowns the top players with full playing privileges or cards for the next year. To simplify for beginners, think of it as a points race where golfers collect rankings based on their finishes, aiming for a spot in the top 100 to lock in full-time status without needing to qualify again. This year’s fall finale at the RSM Classic was packed with action. And while Sammy Velamaki clenched victory by holding off challengers to become Finland’s first PJ Tour winner, the real spotlight was on the bubble boys, those teetering on the edge of that coveted top 100. And this is the part most people miss, the human stories behind the scores. Ricky Castillo, a rising star from the University of Florida and a PGA Tour rookie who clinched his spot via the 2024 Cornferry Tour, came into the week ranked 135th. He knew he needed at least a three-way tie for second place to punch his ticket to full status for 2026. Pair that with Andrew Putnham, a 2018 tour winner who dazzled with the first round 61, and you had two outsiders charging hard. Both racked up five birdies in their opening seven holes, surging into the projected top 100. Castillo with his brother Derek Cattying powered through a front 928 and kept the pressure on Valamaki until a missed three-foot par putt on the par 312 hole yanked him back to 19 under. But here’s where the plot thickens, sparking endless debate. How much does mental resilience outweigh sheer bad luck? Castillo, reflecting on his mindset post round, admitted that six months ago, a miss like that might have derailed him completely, leaving him at 16 or 17 under. Instead, his growth allowed him to shake it off, focus on the next shot, and rally with back-to-back birdies on holes 15 and 16, highlighting a 32 ft putt that sank on 16. He wrapped up with two pars for a stunning 62, tying him at 21 under with Oklahoma’s Max McGrevy for second place. Castillo left the course believing his score would secure AT2 and a 95th spot. Yet, McGrevy’s dramatic 30-foot birdie on the 18th bumped Castillo to solo third, dropping him out of the top 100. Talk about a gut punch. Castillo now faces conditional status for 2026, meaning he’ll play in most events, but without guaranteed spots, and he can still chase full status at the final stage of PGA Tour Q School from December 11th to 14th at TPC Sawrass Dies Valley course. He’s optimistic, noting how close he’s been all year, missing eight cuts by just one shot and drawing inspiration from playing alongside Scotty Sheffller in May. That’s why he’s the best, Castillo said, echoing the mental edge that keeps champions at the top. It’s a classic example of how golf’s mental game can turn near disasters into learning opportunities. But does it make you wonder if the system unfairly punishes those who play it safe. Meanwhile, another heartbreaking tale unfolded with Lee Hajes, the Alabama native dubbed Mr. 101 for his knack of bubbling just outside the top 100, ending his 2-year winners exemption from his 2023 3M Open victory. Hajes entered at 122nd and knew a strong showing was crucial. He started four back but stormed with a front 933 and clutch birdies on the back. needing a birdie on the final hole to crack the top 100. His approach left him 10 feet out, only for it to lip out by inches, costing him a spot and leaving him in a tie for fourth with a 66. “I made so many putts today,” he lamented. “Yet to fault this one is unfair to my putter.” Hajes battled back from a cracked rib in February, missing events and enduring five missed cuts. But this was his first top 20 since June. It’s the kind of resilience that inspires. Yet, it begs the question, should the tour prioritize health and comeback stories over strict rankings? Doug Gim, the Texas Longhorn, who secured his card in 2018 and has held it ever since, adds another layer to this bubble drama. Starting at 125th, he tied the course record on Thursday and shot a 66 to finish T7 at 113th. “It stings,” he shared, reflecting on missed chances throughout the season. But he drew hope from Garrick Higo, who won early on conditional status and secured his spot. Gim’s story reminds us that even veterans can hang on the edge, prompting debates. Is retaining status about talent alone or does timing play too big a role? And let’s not overlook the veterans who also came up short. Bo Hustler at 9 under T64 landed at 104th. Matt Coocher at 8 under and T67 at 118th. They added to the chorus of near misses, showing how the bubble can capsize even experienced players. On a positive note, Takumi Kanaya, Japan’s rising talent, who missed the cut but waited anxiously, clinched the last non-exempt spot at 99th. It’s a testament to perseverance, but does it make you question if waiting games like this are fair in such a competitive sport? In the end, this RSM Classic finale exposes the raw emotion of the FedEx Cup chase, where a single putt can shatter dreams or ignite comebacks. Are we celebrating the winners or sympathizing with the almost there? Do you think the bubble system needs tweaking to reward consistency over clutch moments, or is the drama what makes golf so captivating? Share your thoughts in the comments. Do you side with Castillo’s mental growth, or ponder if Haj’s injury setbacks deserved more leeway? Let’s discuss the controversies and what makes this sport tick.
