Witness the thrilling conclusion of The RSM Classic as Sami Valimaki claims his first PGA TOUR victory, becoming Finland’s golf pioneer. The final day was filled with dramatic moments as players fought to secure their PGA TOUR cards for 2026. Ricky Castillo’s remarkable front nine and Max McGreevy’s clutch birdie putt added to the excitement.
Valimaki’s victory was a testament to his perseverance, as he reflected on a challenging yet rewarding year. McGreevy’s performance secured his spot in the Signature Events, while Jordan Spieth’s absence resulted in a need for sponsor exemptions.
The tournament also featured Nico Echavarria’s impressive round and Sam Stevens’ hole-in-one, adding to the list of memorable moments. With the Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year, Johnny Keefer, in contention, the race for the Masters qualification remains tight.
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Imagine the pressure. One swing can make or break your entire career. That’s exactly what unfolded at the RSM Classic, where dreams were realized and shattered in the blink of an eye. Sammy Valamaki emerged victorious, etching his name in history as Finland’s first ever PGA Tour champion. But the real drama wasn’t just about winning. It was about survival on tour. Let’s dive into the details. In a nailbiting finish at Sea Island, Georgia, Sammy Valamaki secured his maiden PGA Tour title with a final round 66, finishing four underpar. This victory marks a significant milestone for Finnish golf, making Valamaki the first player from Finland to win on the PGA Tour. Having previously tasted near success with two runner-up finishes, Valamaki displayed remarkable composure, particularly with crucial putts on the 16th hole and an 18 ft par save as the wind conditions became more challenging late in the day. It’s a testament to his perseverance, especially after a season he described as really tough despite playing decent golf. But here’s where it gets controversial. While Valamaki’s victory is undoubtedly impressive, the real battle was raging further down the leaderboard. The stakes were incredibly high, securing a coveted spot within the top 100 of the FedEx Cup standings, guaranteeing full PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season when fields will be smaller. This new, more exclusive structure puts immense pressure on players to perform. The drama unfolded with breathtaking speed. Ricky Castillo stormed through the front nine with an incredible 28 and finished with a 62, seemingly enough to propel him from number 135 into the top 100. But then Max McGrevy, already secured for 2026, dramatically sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th, carting a 63 and snatching sole possession of second place. And this is the part most people miss. McGrevy’s clutch putt had a ripple effect, bumping Castillo down to number 102 by a mere handful of points. This is professional golf at its most cutthroat. Adding to the tension, Lee Hajes narrowly missed a 10-ft birdie putt immediately after McGrevy’s heroics. That miss ultimately cost him dearly, leaving him agonizingly close at number 101 in the FedEx Cup standings, a mere two points shy of safety. Can you imagine the frustration? Interestingly, the players who started the week ranked 95th through 100th in the FedEx Cup maintained their positions. This shows how difficult it is to move up the rankings in the final event of the year. Valamaki’s victory comes with significant perks. As a two-time winner on the DP World Tour and fresh off a runner-up finish in Mexico just two weeks prior, he now enjoys a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. More importantly, his number 51 FedEx Cup ranking guarantees him a spot in the first two $20 million signature events of 2026. This offers him a huge opportunity to compete against the best and earn significant prize money. Speaking of McGrevy, his stellar performance not only secured second place, but also propelled him to number 60 in the FedEx Cup standings, earning him a spot in those same signature events. This however had a consequence for another star, Jordan Speath, who didn’t participate in the fall events, was bumped from the 60th spot. This means Spith will now need sponsor exemptions to play in prestigious tournaments like Pebble Beach and Riviera. It’s a stark reminder that even established stars aren’t immune to the pressures of the FedEx Cup. McGrevy, playing without the burden of needing to secure his card, admitted he felt no nerves and focused solely on winning. This highlights the psychological advantage of playing freely without the pressure of survival. Luckily, my best golf came out at the end of the year, he said. Nico Echavaria’s impressive 65 secured a tie for fourth, moving him into the number 51 to 60 range for signature events on the West Coast. And then there’s Sam Stevens, who punctuated his round with a remarkable hole-in-one on the third hole using a nine iron. Despite finishing in an 11-way tie for seventh, Steven’s main focus was maintaining his top 50 world ranking to secure a coveted invitation to the Masters. Talk about forward thinking. It remains uncertain whether Stevens and Johnny Kefir, the Cornferry Tour player of the year who entered the week at number 50 in the world, will maintain their positions. With tournaments still to be played in Australia and South Africa, their fate hangs in the balance. So, what are your thoughts on the new FedEx Cup structure and its impact on players? Is it fair to place so much emphasis on a single season or should there be a longerterm evaluation system? And what about sponsor exemptions? Are they a fair opportunity for players who miss out or do they create an uneven playing field? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
