At the end of a week where more than just a trophy was at stake, Sami Valimaki successfully battled the nerves and pressure to claim his first career win at the 2025 RSM Classic. The 27-year-old Finn held off a crowded field on Sunday at Sea Island, Georgia, to enter the winner’s circle for the first time in his PGA Tour career at 23 under par, one stroke behind Max McGreevey.
Valimäki is the first Finnish man to win on the PGA Tour and the 17th first-time winner this season, the second most in a single season since 1983. He also follows in the footsteps of Ludwig Oberg and Maverick McNeely as first-time winners of the RSM Classic five years in a row.
Valimaki started the final round of the PGA Tour season at No. 74 in the FedEx Cup standings and had already secured the privilege of full-time playing in 2026, but he knew he still had work to do. With invitations to marquee events and major championships on the line, the big-hitting right-hander has secured tickets to multiple big events to kick off next year’s campaign.
With this win, Valimaki moved up to 51st place in the FedEx Cup standings. His last three performances this year are a T2 at the World Wide Technology Championship, a T18 at the Bermuda Championship, and now a win at the RSM Classic. A move up within the Aon Next 10 (51st-60th in the standings) means he will play in the first two major events of 2026, as well as the PGA Championship and RBC Heritage.
Valimaki, commanding a 54-hole lead for the first time in his career, appeared unfazed from the start of the final round. The overnight leader, who trails current rivals Michael Thorbjornsen and Patrick Rodgers by two places, made his presence felt early on Sunday with birdies on Nos. 2 and 4.
In the end, the accusations did not come from these two players, but rather from two players from the previous grouping. Ricky Castillo had two birdies in his first four holes and rounded out the front nine with five straight birdies on his scorecard. The former Florida Gators star tied the front-nine scoring record, turned 28 and suddenly had a chance to save his season with nine holes left. Castillo dropped a shot on the 12th, but came back with birdies on the 15th and 16th to take the early clubhouse lead at 21 under.
“I didn’t have a very good final round this year, so I’m really glad I had my best round of the year in the final round of the tournament,” Castillo said. “It’s pretty crazy. But yeah, I’m really happy that I gave myself a chance to score well and defend my card.”
“Honestly, I was trying to win a golf tournament. In my mind as an 18-year-old, I wanted to give myself a chance to win a golf tournament. If I win this tournament, yeah, I’ll keep my tour card, but yeah, no matter what happens, I… I was just trying to give myself the best chance. That’s what we’re here for. We’re not trying to finish second, we all want to win.”
Castillo’s 62 was enough to keep his name on the numbers as he exited the final hole. But it wasn’t quite there, as McGreevy hit a 30-foot birdie bomb on the 18th green to fall outside the top 100. McGreevy’s birdie dropped Castillo’s name to third on the leaderboard, with three birdies in the final five holes to take the clubhouse lead at 1-for-1 at 22 under. Final round 63.
But he wasn’t the only one heartbroken on the final hole. McGreevey’s finish was enough for him to sneak inside the Aon Next 10, removing Jordan Spieth from this year’s starting number. Meanwhile, McGreevy’s playing partner Lee Hodges also had his fate in his hands at the end.
Hodges continued to play well and reached the final hole of the season, needing a birdie to protect his PGA Tour card. He split the fairway, found the green in regulation, and went for a 10-foot birdie, but ultimately slid to the low side and had no chance.
Hodges finished the season in 101st place in the FedEx Cup standings, while Castillo finished the season in 102nd place, one spot worse, as he entered the week well off pace at 135th place all season. With Hodges and Castillo unable to break into the bubble, Takumi Kanaya, who came to Sea Island in 99th place, maintained the same position despite failing to qualify. Carl Willips, who was already exempt thanks to his Puerto Rico Open win, was the man to finish at the magic number.
“I don’t want to hear that I did that,” McGreevy said. “I play with Lee, who is one of my best friends. We played on the PGA Tour together in 2021, and I try to make sure he makes the putts as much as I make the putts.”
“It’s the little wins and losses. Even with losses to Ricky and Lee and things like that, they still played a great round and gave themselves a chance, and all they can rely on is to give themselves a chance. And they did. Hopefully, both Ricky and Lee can definitely get a start and do business whether it’s in Q School or next year. Yeah, play some good golf.”
As players compete to make a living off the golf course, Valimaki commands the spotlight and springs into action on the par-5 15th. Thanks to a beautiful mini-driver from the right side of the fairway, he caught two sides, and added a long-awaited birdie following McGreevey’s heroic performance at the end.
He continued to save par on the next hole from 18 feet, and shortly after was able to hit the final two greens in regulation, clinching his first title and the first for his home country of Finland.
