Sami Valimaki vaults into third-round lead at RSM Classic

Field Level Media|published: Sat 22nd November, 17:38 2025

Sami Valimaki tees off on hole 2 during the third day of the RSM Classic PGA golf tournament on the Seaside Course at Sea Island Resort, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in St. Simons Island, Ga. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Sami Valimaki of Finland fired a 5-under 65 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the RSM Classic in St. Simons Island, Ga.

Playing on the Seaside course, Valimaki bogeyed the par-4 No. 2 hole, recovered with four straight birdies on Nos. 6-9, and notched two other birdies to move ahead of Patrick Rodgers (68 on Saturday) and Michael Thorbjornsen (68) by two shots with a 193 total.

Andrew Novak, who led after the second round, dropped into a tie for fourth at 196 after shooting a par 70 that included a double bogey on the par-4 10th hole and a bogey on the 3-par 17th.

Tying for the round of the day, Zac Blair moved up 18 spots into a tie with Novak and Johnny Keefer (67) with a 6-under 64, including seven birdies and one bogey in the final event of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Fall series.

--Field Level Media

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