In recent years, the RSM Classic has served as a coming-out party for its winners. Talor Gooch earned his maiden Tour victory there in 2021 and went on to have a career year on LIV. Ludvig Aberg matched the feat in 2023 before his ascent to becoming a top-10 player. And Mav McNealy did the same last fall prior to producing a career-best season in 2025.
If that trend holds, Sami Valimaki has some good fortune ahead.
Valimaki, who hails from Finland, won the 2025 edition of the RSM Classic on Sunday, capping his one-stroke victory with a four-under 66 in the final round. The win is the first on the PGA Tour for the 27-year-old as he becomes the first-ever winner from his native country.
“That’s why the emotions come up,” Valimaki said. “I hope I can bring more golfers from Finland.”
Valimaki entered the day alone in the lead after rounds of 66, 62 and 65 over the first three rounds, and to earn his maiden victory, he needed to replicate that steady play. Luckily for him, he did just that. Over the course of the final 18 holes, Valimaki carded five birdies and just one bogey on his way to a four-under 66.
The win caps a magnificent last month of the fall season in which Valimaki finished T2 at the World Wide Technologies Championship along with another top-20 showing at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. With the win, Valimaki not only takes home a winner’s check worth $1.26 million but also secures himself a two-year exemption that will keep him on Tour through the 2027 season.
“It has been long road,” Valimaki said. “I feel like it’s a really tough year even when I kind of played decent golf, and then to keep pushing and find some good grooves in the last few tournaments, so it feels amazing.”
If he can replicate the success other RSM Classic winner’s enjoyed after their victories, the best is yet to come.
