Sami Valimaki surged to the top of the leaderboard at the PGA Tour finale, shooting a remarkable five-under-par 65 in the third round on Saturday. This performance brought his total to 19-under 193, placing him two strokes ahead of fellow competitors Michael Thorbjornsen and Patrick Rodgers, both of whom finished the day with rounds of 68.
Valimaki’s impressive play included a streak of four consecutive birdies, starting with a birdie on the par-3 sixth hole, where he landed his shot within 12 feet of the hole. He then reached the green in two on the par-5 seventh, followed by an 18-inch tap-in on the eighth and a precise approach to within three feet on the ninth hole. Reflecting on the round, Valimaki stated, “I haven’t had any claps this week so I knew when I heard the claps it should be pretty close.”
Thorbjornsen and Rodgers, both Stanford alumni, have had notable careers in golf. Rodgers, who left Stanford in 2014 as the world’s No.1 amateur, has participated in 311 tournaments on the PGA Tour, securing four runner-up finishes. His most memorable moment came in 2018 when he lost in a playoff at Sea Island to Charles Howell III. Rodgers commented on the unpredictability of the sport, saying, “Unfortunately in this game you can’t control the outcomes… I need to be the best version of myself that I can be.”
The leaderboard also features Zac Blair, who shot a 64 to sit three strokes behind Valimaki. Blair’s situation is critical as he needs to win the tournament to have a chance of finishing in the top 100 of the FedEx Cup standings. Both Andrew Novak and Johnny Keefer are tied at 16-under 196, with Keefer having secured his Korn Ferry Tour card for 2026. He now aims to remain in the top 50 in the world rankings to qualify for the Masters Tournament.
Harrison Endycott, the leading Australian in the tournament, currently stands tied for 24th place at 12-under after a 65. Despite his strong performance, he is projected for a disappointing 201st position in the FedEx Cup points rankings. His compatriot Karl Vilips experienced a setback with a round of 71, placing him projected at 99th in the rankings, although he earned a two-year exemption on the tour following his victory in Puerto Rico in March.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes remain on Valimaki, who is eager to secure his first PGA Tour title. His previous close calls, including a runner-up finish in the Mexico Open last year and a tie for second in the World Wide Technology Championship earlier this month, highlight his potential. With one more round to play, the competition remains fierce as players vie not only for the title but also for their standing in the overall rankings.
