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Finland's Valimaki wins first PGA title at RSM Classic / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Finland's Valimaki wins first PGA title at RSM Classic
Finland's Sami Valimaki fired a four-under-par 66 to hold off American Max McGreevy by one stroke on Sunday and win the RSM Classic for his first US PGA Tour title.
The 27-year-old European finished 72 holes on 23-under 259 at Georgia's Sea Island resort with McGreevy on 260 after a closing 63 and American Ricky Castillo third on 261 after a 62 on Sunday.
He became the first Finnish player to capture a US PGA Tour event.
"It has been a long road," he said. "It was a really tough year even when I played decent golf, and then to keep pushing and find some good grooves in the last few tournaments, it feels amazing."
World number 98 Valimaki birdied the second and fourth holes then answered a bogey at the fifth with birdies at the eighth and 10th.
McGreevy sank a 29-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to match Valimaki for the lead at 22-under before the Finn reached the green in two at the par-five 15th and tapped in for a birdie to seize the solo lead on 23-under.
After missing the green with his approach but putting onto the short grass, Valimaki sank a par putt from just outside 18 feet at the par-four 16th to stay in the lead and finished with routine tap-in pars at 17 and 18 for the victory.
"I have a little disconnect with my chipping," Valimaki said of his choice at 16. "At least I knew I'm going to get it on the green if I use the putter and just give me the chance."
R. Borges--JDB
