Dive into the high-stakes drama at The RSM Classic on the PGA TOUR, where the FedExCup Fall playoffs are heating up. With Sami Valimaki leading at 19-under, five players are battling for their TOUR cards and big opportunities.
First up, Lee Hodges at No. 122 in the FedExCup is clawing back with three sub-66 rounds, needing a strong finish to secure his card after a season of struggles.
Zac Blair, haunted by past bubble misses, sits at 16-under and needs a win from No. 154 to lock in status.
Patrick Rodgers, chasing his first win, is at 17-under and eyeing the Aon Next 10, ready for Sunday’s final group showdown.
Doug Ghim at No. 125 requires a solo fourth or better to avoid the bubble, showing toughness in windy conditions.
Finally, John Pak, with a new putting coach, needs a victory from No. 168 to turn his rookie season around.
Watch as these PGA TOUR stars play for redemption, wins, and spots in the Signature Events. Keywords: PGA TOUR, RSM Classic, FedExCup, golf stakes, Lee Hodges, Zac Blair, Patrick Rodgers, Doug Ghim, John Pak.
As the final round of the RSM Classic approaches, the tension is palpable. With just 18 holes left in the FedEx Cup fall, the stakes have never been higher. This is where careers are made or broken. And for some players, Sunday could be the defining moment of their season. Thenland Sammy Valamaki leads the pack at 19 under, but 12 players are hot on his heels. All within four shots of the lead. Among them, five golfers stand out as having the most on the line. But here’s where it gets controversial. Each of these players is facing a unique pressure cooker, and their stories are as compelling as they are polarizing. Let’s dive into who they are and why this Sunday could change everything for them. One, Lee Hajes, the comeback kid. Just two years ago, Lee Hodes was riding high after his maiden tour victory at the 3M Open, securing a spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Fast forward to today, and Hajes finds himself in a precarious position at number 122 in the FedEx Cup standings. To retain his tour card, he needs nothing short of a three-way tie for fourth or better. It’s been a season of struggles with nine missed cuts in 24 starts, but Hajes has found his rhythm this week at Sea Island, carding three sub6 rounds to sit at 15 under. Is this the week he turns it all around, or will the pressure prove too much? Hajes reflects, “When you’re shooting as high as you feel like you can every day, you lose a little bit of confidence. But this course, I played it so many times. college, junior golf. I just decided to let it rip this week. His journey from Ardmore, Alabama to the PGA Tour is nothing short of inspiring, but the question remains, can he keep the dream alive? Two, Zack Blair, the bubble veteran. Zack Blair is no stranger to the FedEx Cup bubble. twice. He’s finished just outside the cutoff at number 126 in both 2017 and 2024. “Yeah, it sucks,” Blair admitted candidly on Saturday. But this year, he’s in contention at 16 under after back-to- back 64s, just three shots off the lead. The catch at number 154 in the FedEx Cup, only a win will secure his status. Is this finally Blair’s moment? Or will history repeat itself? Blair’s recent form is promising with AT20 at the Bank of Utah Championship and AT9 at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. I know I just need to go have my best round of the year tomorrow. He said, “It’s pretty easy when that’s all you can do, but in golf, nothing is ever easy.” Three. Patrick Rogers, the almost champion. In 2018, Patrick Rogers lost the RSM Classic in a playoff to Charles Howell 3. Despite a stellar college career at Stanford, where he broke Tiger with scoring record, Rogers has yet to secure a tour victory. With 29 top 10 finishes without a win, he’s tied for the second most in tour history. Will this be the week he finally breaks through? Or will the curse continue? Rogers is in prime position, sitting at 17 under and playing in the final group on Sunday. I’m trying to bring the best version of myself to the golf course each day. He said with a projected spot in the AON next 10, he’s already guaranteed starts in the first two signature events of the year. But for Rogers, it’s not just about starts. It’s about that elusive trophy. Four. Doug Gim, the precarious contender. Doug Gim, a former Texas Longhorn, entered the week at number 125 in the FedEx Cup standings. To secure his tour card, he needs at least a solo fourth place finish. Currently five shots back, Gim is determined to break out of the chasing pack. Can he rise to the occasion, or will the pressure of the bubble get the better of him? You can feel sorry for yourself or you can focus on what you can control, Gim said after his third round 67. I know I’m tough enough, but in a sport where mental fortitude is just as important as skill, toughness alone may not be enough. Five. John Pack, the high-risk, high reward rookie. John Pac, the 2021 PGA Tour University number one, earned his tour card on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour. However, his debut season has been underwhelming with 13 missed cuts in 25 starts. At number 168 in the FedEx Cup, he needs a win to secure full status for 2026. Is this the week he silences the doubters or will his rookie struggles continue? packed tied for the low round of the day with a 64 on Saturday and is working with a new putting coach, Eric Dietrich. I’ve got a nothing to lose mentality this week, he said. It’s some of the best ball striking I’ve had in a long time. But in golf, putting is often the great equalizer. Can he sink the putts when it matters most? The final question. As these five players prepare for Sunday, the question lingers, who will rise to the occasion and who will crumble under the pressure? Is the current FedEx Cup system fair or does it unfairly penalize players on the bubble? Share your thoughts in the comments. This is one discussion you won’t want to miss.
