Watch Sami Valimaki clinch Finland’s first PGA TOUR victory at The RSM Classic with a thrilling 4-under 66.
Dive into the intense drama of the final day, where FedExCup standings hung in the balance for players fighting to secure their cards.
Highlights include Ricky Castillo’s incredible 28 on the front nine, Max McGreevy’s game-saving 30-foot birdie putt, and Lee Hodges’ near miss.
Discover how Valimaki’s steady play earned him a two-year exemption and spots in the 2026 Signature Events.
Learn about other standout performances, like Sam Stevens’ hole-in-one and Nico Echavarria’s climb in the rankings.
This golf recap covers the excitement, upsets, and implications for the 2026 season on the PGA TOUR.
Imagine a world where dreams are made and shattered in the span of a single putt. That’s exactly what happened at the RSM Classic, where Sammy Balamaki etched his name in history while others faced brutal realities. This wasn’t just a golf tournament. It was a highstakes battle for careers and futures. Sammy Balamaki, a name now synonymous with Finnish golfing glory, secured his first ever PGA Tour victory at the RSM Classic. His final round of four under 66 was enough to clinch a one-shot victory, making him the first player from Finland to win on the PGA Tour. The tournament held at Sea Island, Georgia, was the final event of the year, adding immense pressure to every swing and putt. Dalamaki demonstrated remarkable composure, particularly with crucial putts on the 16th hole and an impressive 18 ft par putt later on. His consistency proved vital as the wind conditions shifted dramatically towards the end of the day. But here’s where it gets controversial. While Valamaki’s win was a personal triumph, the real drama unfolded behind him where players were fighting tooth and nail to secure their PGA Torque cards for the 2026 season. Was it fair that one man’s victory overshadowed the career-defining moments happening simultaneously? The stakes were incredibly high because the top 100 players in the FedEx Cup standings, a change from the previous 125, would earn full PGA Torque cards for the 2026 season, a season featuring smaller, more exclusive fields. This meant that a single birdie or bogey could be the difference between a secure future and a desperate scramble for opportunities. Ricky Castillo provided a stunning example of this pressure. He fired an incredible 28 on the front nine and finished with a 62. For a fleeting moment, it seemed certain that this performance would catapult him from number 135 into the coveted top 100. But then Max McGrevy stepped up. McGrevy, needing a miracle, drained a 30foot birdie putt on the very last hole, carding a 63. This clutch performance moved him into solo second place, simultaneously bumping Castillo down to number 102 by the slimmest of margins, fewer than 10 points. Talk about heartbreaking. And this is the part most people miss. Right after McGrevy’s incredible putt, Lee Hodgees had a 10-ft birdie attempt that could have changed everything. His narrowly missed putt meant a par, leaving him at number 101 in the FedEx Cup standings, a mere two points shy of securing his card. Can you imagine the agony? Interestingly, the players who were already positioned between numbers 95 and 100 heading into the RSM Classic maintained their positions. This highlights the intense pressure cooker environment and the razor thin margin separating success and disappointment. For Valamaki, the victory provides a significant boost. A two-time winner on the DP World Tour and a recent runner up in Mexico, he now enjoys a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. Furthermore, his number 51 FedEx Cup ranking guarantees him a spot in the first two 20 million signature events of 2026. “It has been a long road, of course,” Balamaki said, reflecting on his journey. I feel like it’s a really tough year. Even when I kind of played decent golf and then to keep pushing and find some good grooves in the last few tournaments, it feels amazing. McGrevy, already secure with his tour card, jumped to number 60, also earning him entry into the signature events. This move had a ripple effect, pushing Jordan Speath, who didn’t compete this fall, out of the top 60, meaning Spith will rely on sponsor exemptions for Pebble Beach and Riviera. McGrevy admitted to playing with a sense of freedom, unburdened by the pressure of playing for his card. I never felt that nervous, he said. I felt like I was playing to win. Luckily, my best golf came out at the end of the year. Nikicoaria’s 65 secured a tie for fourth and a spot within the number 51 to 60 range, granting him access to the signature events on the West Coast. Adding to the excitement, Sam Stevens aced the third hole with a nine iron, finishing with a 63 and a tie for seventh. Already set for the signature events, Stevens focus is now on maintaining his top 50 world ranking to secure a coveted spot in the Masters. The situation remains uncertain for Johnny Kefir, the corn ferry Tour player of the year, who entered the week at number 50. His typher seventh should improve his ranking, but with tournaments still to come in Australia and South Africa, his master’s fate hangs in the balance. The RSM Classic delivered on drama, heartbreak, and triumph. Who do you think deserved a better fate? Was the pressure on those fighting for their cards too intense, or is that simply the reality of professional golf? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
