Witness the intense final-round action at The RSM Classic as Ricky Castillo and Lee Hodges fought to secure their PGA TOUR cards for 2026. Despite impressive charges, both players fell just short of the top-100 bubble. Watch Castillo’s emotional journey, including his 32-foot birdie putt on No. 16, and Hodges’ heartbreaking near-miss on the 72nd hole. Learn about their seasons, challenges, and future paths, including Castillo’s confidence heading into Q-School. This video also highlights key moments from Sami Valimaki’s historic win and other players’ battles for TOUR status.
Key Moments:
– Ricky Castillo’s front-nine charge and emotional resilience
– Lee Hodges’ clutch putts and final-hole heartbreak
– Sami Valimaki’s victory as Finland’s first PGA TOUR winner
– Max McGreevy’s crucial putt on No. 18
– Insights into players’ seasons and future plans
Don’t miss this gripping recap of the FedExCup Fall finale!
The final round of the RSM Classic delivered a roller coaster of emotions as golfers battled for their PGA Tour futures. But here’s where it gets heartbreaking. Despite valiant efforts, Ricky Castillo and Lee Hajes fell just short of securing their PGA Tour cards, leaving fans and players alike reflecting on what could have been. And this is the part most people miss, the razor thin margins that separate triumph from disappointment in professional golf. Written by Stephanie Royer, this gripping narrative captures the highstakes drama of the FedEx Cup falls ultimate event. On Sunday, Finland’s Sammy Valamaki etched his name in history as his country’s first PGA Tour winner, converting a 54hole lead into victory. Meanwhile, the top 100 bubble, the threshold for full tour status in 2026, fluctuated wildly with every birdie and bogey on Sea Island’s seaside course. Each shot carried the weight of a career. Two players outside the bubble emerged as the day’s focal points. Ricky Castillo, a PGA Tour rookie and University of Florida standout, who earned his card via the 2020 for Cornferry tour, and Andrew Putnham, a 2018 tour winner who stormed into contention with a first round 61. Both players ignited their final rounds, birdieing five of their first seven holes to surge within the projected top 100. Castillo, starting the week at number 135 and needing at least a three-way tie for second to secure his card, blazed through the front nine with a 28. Putnham, however, faltered on the back nine with two bogeies and a double bogey on number 14, effectively ending his top 100 hopes. Castillo with his brother Derek Cattying briefly threatened Valamaki’s lead until a missed three-foot par putt on the par 312th dropped him back to 19 under. But here’s where Castillo’s growth shines. Honestly, six months ago, if I miss that putt, I probably end up 16 or 17 under. Castillo reflected. I’ve grown so much mentally and emotionally. I was able to forget about it, focus on the next shot, and play two under coming in. I’m proud of myself for that. Castillo rebounded with back-to-back birdies on numbers 15 to 16, including a clutch 32 ft putt on 16. He finished with a 62, tying for second place at 21 under alongside Max McGrevy. Walking off the course, Castillo was projected 95th, hoping his score would hold. But McGrevy had other plans, sinking a 30-foot birdie putt on number 18 to claim a share of the lead, bumping Castillo to solo third and out of the top 100. And this is where it gets controversial. Did Castillo’s missed putt on number 12 cost him his tour card, or was it McGrevy’s heroics that sealed his fate? Castillo, now with conditional status for 2026, remains optimistic about Q School. Everything’s been really close for a long time, he said, reflecting on his season. I missed eight cuts by one shot this year. Playing with Scotty Sheffller in May taught me a lot about mindset. That’s why he’s the best. Lee Hajes, another golfer on the bubble, faced a similar fate. Entering at number 122 and nearing the end of his two-year exemption from his 2023 3M Open win, Hodes needed a big week. He started for shots back, but surged into contention with a front 933 and clutch birdie putts on the back nine. On the final hole, projected number 102, he set up a 10-ft birdie putt to crack the top 100. He missed by inches, a gut-wrenching moment that left him tied for fourth. Here’s the question that sparks debate. Was Haj’s near miss a result of pressure? Or was it simply the cruel nature of golf? After a season marred by a cracked rib and five straight missed cuts, Haj’s resurgence was undeniable. Yet, it wasn’t enough. Other notables like Doug Gim number 113, Bohassler number 104, and Matt Cooer number 118 also fell short. While Japan’s Tikkumi Kaya secured the final tour card at number 99 despite missing the cut. But the bigger question remains, in a sport decided by inches, how do players like Castillo and Hajes bounce back? And what does this say about the unforgiving nature of professional golf? What’s your take? Was it Castillo’s missed putt, McGrevy’s heroics, or simply the brutal margins of the game? Let us know in the comments. This discussion is far from over.
