Witness the thrilling final round of The RSM Classic as Ricky Castillo and Lee Hodges fight to secure their PGA TOUR cards. Castillo, a PGA TOUR rookie, and Hodges, battling to maintain his status, both delivered dramatic performances. Despite Castillo’s incredible 62 and Hodges’ clutch putts, they fell just short of the top-100 bubble. Watch as emotions run high, with Castillo’s brother on the bag and Hodges missing a crucial putt by inches. This video captures the intensity, mental toughness, and raw emotions of professional golf. Will they bounce back at Q-School? Find out more about their journeys and the dramatic conclusion of The RSM Classic.
Key Moments:
– Ricky Castillo’s 32-foot birdie putt on No. 16
– Lee Hodges’ near-miss on the 72nd hole
– Max McGreevy’s clutch putt to secure his position
– Emotional reactions from players and caddies
PGA TOUR #TheRSMClassic #RickyCastillo #LeeHodges #GolfHighlights
The pressure was on, the stakes were high, and the dreams of securing a PGA Tour card hung in the balance at the RSM Classic. This final event of the FedEx Cup fall season was a nailbiter, especially for those on the cusp of earning their full status for the upcoming year. While Sammy Valmachi celebrated a historic win as Finland’s first PGA Tour champion, the real drama unfolded around the top 100 players in the FedEx Cup standings. the golden ticket to guaranteed full status for the 2026 season. But here’s where it gets controversial. The cutthroat competition saw some familiar names fall sure their goals. Two players in particular Ricky Castillo and Lee Hodes captured the spotlight. Ricky Castillo, a rising star from the University of Florida and a PGA tour rookie, entered the tournament at number 135. He had earned his card through the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour. To secure his tour card, he needed at least a three-way tie for second place. He started strong, birdieing five of his first seven holes. He needed to finish strong to stay in the top 100. Despite a minor setback with a misspar putt on the 12th hole, Castillo showed remarkable mental fortitude, finishing with a 62 and a tie for second place at 21 under. He was projected to finish 95th, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough. But this is the part most people miss. Max McGrevy’s clutch performance on the final hole bumped Castillo down to solo third place, knocking him out of the top 100. Castillo will now have conditional status for the 2026 season and another chance to earn his card at the final stage of PGA Tour Q School. He expressed confidence in his abilities and the lessons learned from his first full season on the PGA Tour. Lee Hajes, who entered the tournament at number 122, faced a similar fate. He was playing under a 2-year winners exemption. He needed a stellar performance to secure full status. Despite a strong showing with a front n 33, and several key birdies, Hajes needed a birdie on the final hole to crack the top 100. He narrowly missed his putt, finishing with a share of fourth place and a score of 66. Doug Gim, Bo Hustler, and Matt Cooer also missed the mark, finishing outside the top 100. Takumi Kaya, on the other hand, managed to secure his tour card, finishing at number 99 in the FedEx Cup standings. What do you think? Were you surprised by the results? Do you think the pressure of the final event played a significant role? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
