Who Is Sami Valimaki? 15 Facts You Didn't Know About The PGA Tour Golfer
Get to know Finnish golfer Sami Valimaki better with these 15 facts about his life and career as a pro golfer


Jonny Leighfield
Sami Valimaki is a new name on the PGA Tour, and as a result, many golf fans might not know an awful lot about him. But if you're keen to find out more, keep reading...
1. Valimaki was born on July 16, 1998 in Nokia, Finland which has historic linkage with the multinational telecommunications company.
2. He is still attached to Nokia River Golf, the course located just outside of the town.
3. Valimaki was once the 10th-ranked amateur in the World Amateur Golf Ranking table (2018) - his highest position.
4. Valimaki turned professional in 2019 after he completed his compulsory military service in Finland at the end of 2018.
5. He went to the European Tour's Q-School in 2019 and from six rounds of competition he produced four rounds in the 60's to secure his card for the 2020 season.
Sami Valimaki
6. It didn't take long for the Finn to make an impact. Valimaki earned his first European Tour victory in just his fifth start after defeating Brandon Stone in a playoff at the Oman Open.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
7. Valimaki's second DP World Tour victory arrived at the 2023 Qatar Masters via a playoff against Jorge Campillo.
8. At the end of the 2022-23 DP World Tour season, Valimaki finished 12th in the Race to Dubai rankings and consequently earned one of the 10 PGA Tour cards on offer to European-based players.
9. He is only the fourth Finn to win on the European Tour after Mikko Ilonen, Roope Kakko and Mikko Korhonen.
10. Alongside other young talent from Finland, Valimaki represented his country at the 2018 European Amateur Team Championship. Matias Honkala, Jonatan Jolkkonen, Santeri Lehesmaa, Veeti Mähönen, Aleksi Myllymäki and Välimäki made up the team - and they managed to defeat England 5-2 in the final.
Sami Valimaki poses with the 2023 Qatar Masters trophy
11. Valimaki plays a full bag of TaylorMade golf clubs and wears Oscar Jacobson clothing.
12. Valimaki actually won his very first event as a professional golfer. Playing at the Open Casa Green Golf in Casablanca, Morocco, he secured a two-stroke victory.
13. While travelling, the first thing he packs are his headphones. He listens to a lot of podcasts on ice-hockey, the NHL or the NBA.
14. His favourite golf course in the world is Royal Birkdale and his favourite fourball would include Tiger Woods, Tapio Pulkkanen and Dustin Johnson.
15. Valimaki's highest-ever finish at a Major was T68 at the 2023 Open Championship. He has yet to play The Masters and has never made the cut at either the PGA Championship or US Open.

Sam is Golf Monthly's Senior E-commerce Editor which mean's he oversees everything E-com related on the site.
This takes the form of creating and updating Buying Guides, reviews, and finding bargain prices for deals content.
Working with golf gear and equipment over the last seven years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes.
He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate, insightful, and informative reviews and buying advice. This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for, at a good price.
Additionally Sam oversees Golf Monthly voucher/coupon content which seeks to find you the best offers and promotions from well-known brands like Callaway, TaylorMade and many more.
Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a single-figure handicap.
- Jonny LeighfieldStaff Writer
-
13 Big Names To Miss The Cut At The US Open
The US Open is known for its ability to humble even the world’s biggest names, and some high-profile players are once again heading home early after two rounds Oakmont
-
US Open Golf Betting Tips: Post-Cut Odds And Predictions
An eventful two rounds have taken place at Oakmont Country Club and, with scoring a struggle, there is value to be had over the weekend of the US Open
-
Matt Vogt Facts: 18 Things You Didn't Know About The 2025 US Open Amateur
Get to know the dentist turned amateur golfer who qualified for the 2025 US Open
-
Hinako Shibuno Facts: 10 Things To Know About The Major Winner
Hinako Shibuno excelled in several sports before dedicating herself to golf, and since then, she has achieved huge success
-
Chiara Tamburlini Facts: 10 Things To Know About The LET Pro
Chiara Tamburlini has taken to professional golf like an established star, with a series of wins – here are 10 things to know about her
-
Jin Hee Im Facts: 10 Things To Know About The LPGA Tour Star
Jin Hee Im has made a big impression in her short time on the LPGA Tour – here are 10 things to know about her
-
Michael La Sasso Facts: 10 Things To Know About The College Golfer
Michael La Sasso is one of college golf's brightest talents - here are 10 things to know about him
-
Rio Takeda Facts: 10 Things To Know About The LPGA Tour Pro
Rio Takeda is one of the most promising stars on the LPGA Tour – here are 10 things to know about her
-
Tyler Collet Facts: 10 Things To Know About The PGA Professional
Club pro Tyler Collet has demonstrated plenty of ability in some big events – here are 10 things to know about him
-
Dylan Wu Facts: 10 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
Dylan Wu was introduced to golf early and nowadays is a PGA Tour mainstay – here are 10 things to know about the American