Sami Välimäki made one bogey and six bogeys to close with a 5-under 65 at the Seaside Course and move to the top of the RSM Classic leaderboard at 19-under.

He holds his first 54-hole lead/co-lead on the PGA Tour. His previous-best 54-hole position was second at the 2024 Mexico Open at Vidanta where he finished second.

“It wasn’t the start what I was looking for, but then of course kind of the turnaround on No. 3, hit a great shot over there and a few good ones from 6 to 9, so just nice little comeback,” said Välimäki.

“I must say I’m hoping a good start [for Sunday], I feel like that’s kind of staying — have a couple shot clear like end of the front nine would be great. Just try to make the birdies and know the guys behind is coming fast.”

The Finn, who is the only non-American in the top-5, recorded the lowest opening 54-hole score of his career (previous: 197/2025 World Wide Technology Championship/finished T2). His 193 falls one shy of the 54-hole scoring record at The RSM Classic (192/Ludvig Åberg/2023).

Michael Thorbjornsen made one bogey and closed with a 68 for a share of second place at 17-under alongside Patrick Rogers who made two bogeys.

Since 1983 and among active players entering the week Rogers has the most starts on Tour without a win: 311 (Patrick Rodgers), 261 (Mark Hubbard), 232 (Beau Hossler), 228 (Byeong Hun An, Sam Ryder), 224 (Zac Blair) as well as the second most top-10 finishes without a win: 30 (Byeong Hun An), 29 (Patrick Rodgers, Denny McCarthy).

Zac Blair made one bogey and signed for a 6-under 64 to move up into a share of fourth place at 16-under alongside Johnny Keefer who made one bogey for a 67 and overnight leader Andrew Novak who made one bogey and a double bogey at the par-4 10th to close with a 70.

Sponsor exemption Keefer finished No. 1 on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List. The last sponsor exemption to win on Tour was Michael Brennan at the 2025 Bank of Utah Championship.

FedExCup Fall Notes

The 2025 RSM Classic is the final event of the FedExCup Fall, a group of seven tournaments played after the Tour Championship that finalizes eligibility for the 2026 PGA Tour Season

Winners of events during the FedExCup Fall receive the similar benefits of winners of Full-Field Events during the Regular Season, including 500 FedExCup points, Official World Golf Ranking points, a two-year PGA Tour exemption (exempt thru 2026) and invitations to The Sentry, the Players Championship and PGA Championship.

The Aon Next 10 is an eligibility pathway that awards access into Signature Events, recognizing the top 10 players, not otherwise exempt, from the FedExCup standings; Nos. 51-60 in the final FedExCup Fall standings at the conclusion of The RSM Classic will serve as the Aon Next 10 for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational.

Related: A complete informational guide to golf: rules, techniques, and modern engagement with the sport

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