Sami Valimaki took a one-shot victory on the RSM Traditional at Sea Island to win the primary PGA Tour title of his profession.
Valimaki grew to become Finland’s first PGA Tour winner when he closed with a four-under 66 within the last occasion of the yr.
After two runner-up finishes over the previous two seasons, Valimaki used putter from under the inexperienced on the sixteenth after which holed an 18-foot putt. He was regular over the closing holes even because the wind abruptly modified course with extra pressure late within the day as he ended on 23 beneath.
The highest 100 within the FedExCup standings – down from 125 gamers in earlier years – get full PGA Tour playing cards for the 2026 season. Ricky Castillo shot 28 on the entrance 9, closed with a 62 and when he completed it regarded like that might be sufficient for him to maneuver from No 135 to inside the highest 100.
However then Max McGreevy holed a 30-foot birdie putt on the ultimate gap for a 63, transferring him into second place alone.
That bumped Castillo all the way down to No 102 by fewer than 10 factors.
Proper after McGreevy holed his putt, Lee Hodges had a 10-foot birdie try that narrowly missed and price him an opportunity to maneuver into the highest 100. The par for a 66 left him at No 101 within the FedExCup standings by about two factors.
Valimaki celebrates profitable on the 18th inexperienced
Valimaki now has a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and is assured of enjoying within the first two $20m signature occasions of 2026 by ending at No 51 within the FedExCup.
“It has been a protracted highway, after all,” Valimaki mentioned. “I really feel prefer it’s a extremely robust yr even after I form of performed respectable golf, after which to maintain pushing and discover some good grooves in the previous few tournaments, it feels superb.”
McGreevy, who already had his card locked up, moved as much as No 60 to additionally qualify for a pair of signature occasions to start out subsequent yr. His end bumped Jordan Spieth, who didn’t play this autumn, down from the sixtieth spot, which means Spieth will want sponsor exemptions for Pebble Seaside and Riviera.
McGreevy performed with freedom figuring out he didn’t have to fret about enjoying for his card.
“I by no means felt that nervous,” he mentioned. “I felt like I used to be enjoying to win. Fortunately, my finest golf got here out on the finish of the yr.”
Max McGreevy claimed second place
Nico Echavarria shot 65 to tie for fourth and moved into that No 51-60 slot for signature occasions on the West Coast.
Sam Stevens made a hole-in-one on the third gap with a nine-iron over a bunker to a entrance pin and wound up with a 63 to hitch an 11-way tie for seventh place. He already was set for all of the signature occasions. On his thoughts at No 48 on the earth rating was staying within the high 50 at yr’s finish to earn a spot in The Masters.
It’s too near name, as it’s for Johnny Keefer, the Korn Ferry Tour participant of the yr who got here into the week at No 50. Each had been in that large tie for seventh and determine to maneuver up just a few spots, with tournaments nonetheless to be held in Australia and South Africa the remainder of the yr.
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