Sami Valimaki wins RSM Classic for first PGA Tour victory
In recent years, the RSM Classic has become a coming-out party for the winners. Talor Gooch earned his first Tour victory there in 2021 and had a career year at LIV. Ludvig Aberg achieved this feat in 2023 and subsequently moved up to the top ten. Mav McNealy did the same thing last fall and had the best season of his career in 2025.
If this trend continues, good luck is in store for Sami Valimaki.
Valimäki of Finland won the 2025 RSM Classic on Sunday, winning by one stroke in the final round with a 4-under 66. The victory was the 27-year-old’s first on the PGA Tour and the first winner from his home country.
“That’s why the emotions come up,” Valimaki said. “I hope to be able to bring more golfers from Finland.”
Valimaki is alone in the lead after shooting rounds of 66, 62 and 65 in the first three rounds and will need to replicate that consistent performance in order to claim his first victory. Fortunately, he did. In the final 18 holes of the match, Valimaki had five birdies and only one bogey, shooting a 66, 4 under par.
The win capped off a stellar final month of the fall season that saw Valimaki tie for second at the World Technical Championships and finish in the top 20 again at the Butterfield Bermuda Championships. With the victory, Valimaki not only received a championship check worth $1.26 million, but also received a two-year exemption that will allow him to continue competing on the tour until the 2027 season.
“It’s been a long road,” Valimaki said. “I feel like it’s been a really tough year, even though I’ve been playing some good golf, and then just kept working hard and found some good form in the last few tournaments, so it feels great.”
If he can replicate the success that other RSM Classic champions have enjoyed following their victory, the best is yet to come.
