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Sami Valimaki
Sami Valimaki
Born: 16 July 1998
Birthplace: Finland
College: N/A
Resides: Finland
Major Wins: 0
Euro or PGA Tour Wins: 1
Other Wins: 4
Grass Preference: Unknown
Significant Life Events: Yes
GBC Wind Performance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
GBC Pressure Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
BIO
Sami turned pro in 2019 after a successful amateur career and completing his national service in Finland. He has made winning somewhat of a habit, having won 4 times on the Pro Golf Tour before successfully navigating the European Tour School to secure his card for the 2020 season.
Sami needed little time on the European Tour to breakthrough, winning the Oman Open in fine style in March 2020 and post lockdown posted 2nd and 6th place finishes at Celtic Manor in Wales. He capped off an excellent 2020 with a 5th place finish at the DP World Tour Championship.
Significant info
Sami only turned pro in 2019. He decsribes his goal is to be "the best in the world." His aim over the next two years is to play as much in America as he can and ultimately get on to the PGA Tour.
Pressure Performance Analysis
Summary
Having impressed front running and given the number of wins to date (albeit on lower tours), Sami's Golf Betting Club Pressure Performance Rating is set at ⭐⭐⭐. However, he has only contended once since December 2020 so he may experience contention rust when next going for a win.
November 2022
❌ Began 1 shot behind Dan Bradbury at the Joburg Open and shot 69 to finish 3 shots back.
December 2020
✅ Sami was two shots off the lead with 18 holes to go at the DP World Tour Championship. Shot 69 to move up to 5th.
August 2020
✅ Began the final round of the ISPS HANDA Wales Open 3 shots behind and shot 69 to finish 2nd place, 2 shots behind winner Romain Langasque.
March 2020
✅ Held the joint lead going into the final round at The Oman Open. Shot a final round 70 which included a birdie at the last to reach the playoff with Brandon Stone.
Pro Golf Tour 2019
✅ It is worth noting that each of Sami's four wins on the Pro Golf Tour came when he was leading with one round to go (Pro Golf Tour events are only 3 rounds). He's a comfortable front runner.
Trends
Stays Hot
Sami is a player who can clearly stay hot. His sole win on the European Tour came immediately after a 7th place finish and he also posted several hot runs over 2020. He won 3 times in 5 starts in 2019 (albeit on the Pro Golf Tour).
Goes Well When Fresh
It is also worth mentioning that 4 of Sami's wins have come after at least a week off so he can go well when fresh too. Sami had seven top 10 finishes in 2020, five of those came after a week off.
Wind Expert
Performed admirably in the wind to win in Oman and his next best finish was a 2nd place in Wales where the wind was blowing hard at Celtic Manor all week.
Events to back Valimaki
Cyprus Open
Sami was 6th at the Cyprus Open and 18th at the Cyrpus Showdown in 2020. Seven of his eight rounds at Aphrodite Hills have been 68 or lower.
Playoff Record
1-0. Sami defeated Brandon Stone to win his first European Tour title at the Oman Open, he demonstrated excellent composure.
Significant Quotes
"I’m not sure what I was expecting (at the US Open) but I thought the big difference for me would be the spectators, because I haven’t played in front of crowds a lot of times before." September 2020
