In an exciting finish, Seamus Power just missed out on a full PGA Tour card for 2026. However, his impressive performance at the RSM Classic earned him a conditional card, placing him in the top 125. Power’s climb up the FedEx Fall standings is a testament to his skill. Starting at 129th, he finished at a provisional 117th, with a joint-seventh-place finish. We take you through his final round, where he birdied crucial holes but also faced some challenges. Despite missing the top 100, Power’s journey is inspiring. Also, learn about the tournament winner, Sami Valimaki, and how his victory secured a two-year exemption and a spot in the 2026 signature events. Join us to celebrate these golfers’ achievements and their bright futures on the PGA Tour.
Imagine the thrill of the PGA Tour’s highstakes qualifying battles where one stroke can mean the difference between glory and a hard-fought near miss. And that’s exactly the roller coaster ride Sheamus Power experienced this weekend at the RSM Classic. Sheamus Power came tantalizingly close to clinching a full PGA Tour card for 2026, but he’s still walking away with a valuable conditional card after tying for seventh place at the RSM Classic in Georgia. For those new to the game, a conditional card means he can play in about 20 tournaments next year, giving him a solid shot at building his career, even if it’s not the unrestricted access a full card provides. Power began the tournament ranked 129th in the FedEx fall standings. A point system that determines who makes it to the elite level. To break into the top 100 is to secure that full status, while slots 101 through 125 earn conditional cards. It’s a brutal cut off that rewards consistency in big moments and P’s performance here was a testament to his resilience. But here’s where it gets controversial. Is this system fair? Rewarding one-off great rounds over steady seasons. Many fans debate whether it truly identifies the best players or just the luckiest ones. Playing on the picturesque seaside course for the weekend rounds, Power knew he needed a strong final day to crack the top 100. Starting tied for eighth, he kicked things off with a birdie on the par4 first hole, sinking a precise 10-ft putt that set a positive tone. He played solid golf from there, adding another birdie on the par 57th, though he dropped a shot on the eighth to turn in 34. Power kept the momentum going with more birdies on the par 413th and the tricky par 317th, finishing his round with a 67. That left him at 18 under for the tournament, just five shots behind the winner. While he might feel a twinge of disappointment for missing out on the full card, his rise from 145th in the standings at the start of the month to a provisional 117th is genuinely impressive. Climbing 12 spots in one event shows how volatile yet exciting these qualifiers can be. And this is the part most people miss. The full leaderboard reveals even more drama. Check out the complete results here. httpswhe/sports/golfp-our88/the- rsm-class-897399 tournament champion Sammy Valamaki of Finland clinched victory with a thrilling birdie on the par 515th at seaside breaking a tie with Max McGrevy who had stormed to a 63 and 22 under 260 early on par his way through the rest for a 66 6, finishing at 23 under 259. His win not only earned him a 2-year exemption on the tour, but also boosted him 23 places to 51st in the FedEx Cup fall points. For context, positions 51 to 60 qualify for the first two big money signature events in 2026. That’s like getting a golden ticket to the most lucrative tournaments. Max McGrevy’s explosive Sunday round propelled him to second, likely landing him at 60th overall, while Ricky Castillo shot a blistering 62 to claim third at 21 under. However, Castillo’s projected finish at 102nd means he’s just outside the top 100, missing that guaranteed full status. It’s a reminder of how razor thin these margins are in professional golf. Read next. What do you think? Should conditional cards be more generous to reward perseverance, or is the current system the ultimate test of talent? Do you side with powers near miss as a success story, or do you see it as a missed opportunity? Share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s debate the future of golf qualifying.
