Two cousins, both born in 1998, both named Välimäki, both professional athletes—one on NHL ice, one on European golf courses. Sami Välimäki’s journey to professional golf is intertwined with a family sporting DNA that spans continents and sports.

Sami competes on the DP World Tour, currently ranked 126th in the world. His cousin, Juuso Välimäki, plays defense for the Utah Hockey Club in the NHL. The athletic cousins reunited when Sami competed at the WM Phoenix Open while Juuso played for the Arizona Coyotes. Both share more than just a birth year and surname. They carry a Finnish legacy of athletic excellence that runs deep in their family.

Sami Välimäki was born on July 16, 1998, in Nokia, Finland. His ethnicity is purely Finnish, reflecting his Nordic roots in a country known for producing resilient athletes. The Välimäki surname carries significant meaning in Finnish culture. It translates to “election hill” or “chosen hill,” combining “vali” (to choose) and “mäki” (hill). Approximately 3,200 people in Finland bear this name, making it the 242nd most common surname in the country.

His parents introduced him to golf at Nokia River Golf when he was just five years old. Both played recreationally and continue to play today. They brought young Sami to the range regularly. He received his green card at age seven. “My dad and mom used to play and still play but they took me on the range and I picked it up quite well and I had two really good friends who started at the same time,” he once shared.

The Nokia native still maintains membership at his hometown club. He currently resides in Tampere, also located in Finland’s Pirkanmaa region. His family’s presence in Nokia extends beyond golf. The Välimäki family established Metallityö Välimäki Oy, a business founded in Nokia in 1982.

“Being a professional was always the goal for me. My parents got me into golf, and I had a couple of good friends in my home club that I grew up playing with.”

Growing up in Finland shaped more than just Välimäki’s swing. It instilled a uniquely Finnish approach to competition. The concept of “sisu”—a cultural quality of perseverance and resilience—runs through his veins. This mental toughness became even more pronounced during his mandatory military service.

Top Stories

Brandel Chamblee Calls Out Special Treatment of Jordan Spieth & Rickie Fowler During PGA Tour Events

Charlie Woods Matches 34-Year-Old Tiger Woods Record Despite Turbulent Year

Amanda Balionis Makes Personal Admission as Her Golf Initiative Nears 5-Year Milestone

LIV Golf Signs a Deal With PGA Tour’s 20-Year-Long Partner in Another Shocking Move

Tiger Woods’ Treatment of Caddies Set Him Apart from PGA Tour Rivals, Confesses Steve Williams

Sami Välimäki’s Finnish “Sisu” mentality

Välimäki completed a six-month stint in a sports unit at the end of 2018. Finnish law requires all able-bodied young men to serve in the military. He balanced military duties with amateur golf during this period. The experience strengthened his mental game before turning professional in 2019.

Representing a small Nordic nation on the international stage fuels his competitive fire. Finland has produced only four European Tour winners. Välimäki stands as one of them.

“I feel that being Finnish has helped me. Being a small country, I feel like I want to show the world what we can do. I also feel that the whole country is rooting for me, which feels good and gives me energy.”

His journey from frozen Finnish forests to professional tours embodies this resilience. He won the 2020 Oman Open in just his sixth European Tour start. That victory earned him the 2020 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award. He became the first Finnish player to receive this honor.

In November 2025, Välimäki tied the course record at the World Wide Technology Championship with an 11-under 61. He represented Finland at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing tied for 45th. His career includes eight professional victories, including two DP World Tour wins.

Sami Välimäki’s Finnish ethnicity isn’t just about geography. It’s the foundation of his competitive spirit, shaped by family influence, cultural “sisu,” and a nation’s support. As he continues to climb the rankings, Välimäki carries not just his family’s athletic legacy but also the hopes of an entire Nordic nation cheering him on.