Relive the dramatic final round of The RSM Classic where Ricky Castillo and Lee Hodges fought for their PGA TOUR cards. Witness the highs and lows, including Castillo’s incredible comeback and Hodges’ near miss on the final hole. Learn about their strategies, key moments, and the impact on their future careers.
This video covers:
– Ricky Castillo’s impressive performance and near top-100 finish.
– Lee Hodges’ close call and the emotions involved.
– Insights into the pressure of the FedExCup Fall.
– Analysis of key putts and shots.
– What’s next for Castillo and Hodges.
The RSM Classic, the final event of the FedEx Cup fall, was a thrilling spectacle as golfers battled for their PGA Tour cards. While Sammy Valamaki made history as Finland's first PGA Tour winner, the real drama unfolded around the top 100 bubble, which determined full status for the 2026 season. Two players, Ricky Castillo and Andrew Putnham, caught everyone's attention during the final round. Castillo, a PGA Tour rookie and University of Florida standout, had earned his card through the 2024 Cornferry Tour. Putnham, a former tour winner, shot an impressive first round 61 at Sea Island, putting him in contention. Both players started strong, birdy five of their first seven holes and quickly moved into the projected top 100. Castillo, who began the week at number 135, needed a top three finish to secure his tour card. He kept up the momentum on the front nine, shooting a remarkable 28. Putnham, however, struggled on the back nine with two bogeies and a double bogey on the 14th, effectively ending his chances. Castillo, with his brother Derek as his caddy, kept the pressure on Valamaraki until a crucial moment on the par 312th. He missed a three-foot par putt, dropping back to 19 under. But here's where it gets interesting. Castillo's mental fortitude shone through. He explained, "6 months ago, I probably would have let that affect me, but I've grown so much. I was able to forget about it and focus on the next shot, and I'm proud of myself for that." He regrouped with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, including a 32 ft putt on the 16th. Castillo finished with two solid pars, carding a 62 and ending at 21 under, tied for second place with Max McGrevy. And this is the part most people miss. McGrevy had a different plan. He sank a crucial birdie putt on the 18th, pushing Castillo into solo third place and out of the FedEx Cup Top 100. Castillo will now have conditional status for the 2026 season and will need to earn his tour card at the final stage of PGA Tour Q School. Another player who just missed out on the top 100 was Lee Hodges, an Alabama native. Hodges, who had won the 2023 3M Open, knew he needed a strong performance to secure full status. He started the day four shots back but played exceptionally well with a front 933 and some clutch birdie putts on the back nine. Heading into the final hole, Hodges was projected at number 102. He struck his approach shot to within 10 ft, setting up a must-make birdie putt to crack the top 100. Unfortunately, he missed by inches. a gut-wrenching moment that left him signing for his third 66 of the week and a share of fourth place. Hajis had a challenging year, missing several events due to a rib injury in February, but he's back in form now, and this was his first top 20 finish since June. Other notable players who fell short of the top 100 bubble include Doug Gim, Bo Hustler, and Matt Cuchar. Gim, who had retained his status since 2018, finished at T7 and number 113. Hustler and Kuchar ended up at number 104 and number 118 in the FedEx Cup respectively. The final player to earn his tour card was Japan's Tukumi Canaya who had to wait it out after missing the cut on Friday. He secured his spot at number 99 in the FedEx Cup standings. So, what do you think? Are you surprised by the outcomes? Who do you think will shine in the upcoming season? Let's discuss in the comments.
