The first round of the decisive RSM Classic, the final tournament of the PGA Tour season where it will be determined which players retain their card and who secure a spot in the first two designated events of next year, has begun with a blistering pace of birdies. As an example, the result of the three players sharing the lead after the first 18 holes, Davis Thompson (-10), Rico Hoey (-10), and Doug Ghim (-10).
All three have delivered cards of 10 under par, albeit with different results as the first two played the Plantation Course, where they signed rounds of 62 strokes, and the third achieved a 60 at the Seaside Course. Their margin over their immediate pursuers, Andrew Putnam (-9) and Andrew Novak (-9), both with 61 strokes at the Seaside Course, is just one stroke. But with 14 players within a margin of just three strokes and 124 with red numbers on their scorecard, it all points to needing to significantly improve on the 16 under with which Maverick McNealy won last year.
For Davis and Rico, with eight birdies and an eagle each and with playing rights secured until 2026, the fight is both for the title and to sneak into the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am and the Genesis Invitational. For Doug, who starts the week in 125th place of the FedEx Fall, this event is crucial to remain on the tour for another year, as his exemption ends this season after finishing among the top 125 last year. With the change in PGA Tour format, he needs to improve by at least 25 places in this RSM Classic to maintain his status, an ambitious goal towards which he has taken a first step this Thursday with 10 flawless birdies.
Putnam is in the same situation as Doug and the tied fourth place with a player currently positions him in the projection at 99th overall, enough to retain the card. The rest will have to keep pushing from tomorrow until Sunday to avoid being left out, while Colombian Nico Echavarria (-6), with the tied 15th place he currently holds, would earn enough points to climb three positions and move to 59th in the FedEx Fall and pave his way to those first two designated events of next year, with higher prize purses and more points than regular tournaments.
Daniel Berger (-4), playing his first tournament since the BMW Championship in August where he suffered a fracture of the ring finger on his right hand, has started with good sensations and an interesting 66 at the Seaside Course. Among the Europeans fighting for the card, Seamus Power (-6) is the best placed, although his 64 today only allows him to be tied 15th, insufficient to get into that coveted top 100. However, with the ease offered by the two courses at the Sea Island Golf Club, there is more than enough time in 54 holes to achieve it.
