The PGA Tour returns to the Deep South for what is the final FedEx Cup event of the calendar year, the RSM Classic.
The RSM Classic | 15 – 18 November | Sea Island Resort, Georgia, USA
This will be the ninth instalment of the RSM Classic to be staged at Sea Island Resort, and this will be the fourth consecutive year that it will take place over two courses. The resort’s Seaside Course hosted the event solely from 2010-2014, with the Plantation Course introduced in 2015. The 156 man field will alternate courses over the first two days before playing the Seaside Course solely over the weekend.
The Seaside Course actually started life as a nine-hole number and dates back to 1929. It underwent a drastic facelift twenty years back, with Tom Fazio joining the previous nine-hole layout with the nine holes of Marshside. Plantation has similar origins, previously existing as a nine-hole layout prior to Rees Jones’ redesign. The low lying courses actually have a distinctly links feel to them, though the fairways are perhaps a tad more polished than a typical coastal course in Britain. Due to the marshland setting, water will play an integral factor on both courses.
With all due respect, the fact that Webb Simpson is the headline this week tells you all you need to know about the quality of the field. Defending champion Austin Cook is present while the likes of Cameron Champ and Chesson Hadley bring reasonable form to proceedings. Metronomic types such as Kevin Kisner and Brian Harman should flourish while Zach Johnson lends some pizzazz to the line-up. This is really one of those lottery events that could have any winner.
Past Winners
2017: Austin Cook (-21)
2016: Mackenzie Hughes (-17)*playoff
2015: Kevin Kisner (-22)
2014: Robert Streb (-14)*playoff
2013: Chris Kirk (-14)
To Win Outright:
Webb Simpson 9/1 | Cameron Champ 20/1 | J.J Spaun 22/1 | C.T Pan 22/1 | Chesson Hadley 22/1
Value Bets
Bud Cauley- To Win 75/1, To Place 16/1
Bud Cauley is one of those names that could truly thrive in this environment. The 28-year-old missed four months earlier this season following a horrific car accident. Cauley hasn’t missed a beat since returning from what could have been a career-threatening injury. He has made all three cuts since his return, including a top 10 at the Shriners in Vegas. In his six appearances at the RSM, he has registered three top 20 results. That includes an eighth place finish last season.
Kramer Hickok- To Win 100/1, To Place 22/1
A graduate of the Web.com Tour stands a decent shout of being highly competitive this week considering the weakness of the field. Kramer Hickok is an accurate hitter who could thrive this week. His inexperience at the top level has shown at both the Shriners and Mayakoba. His finishes of T29 and T23 would have been exponentially better if not for one errant round in each event. He opened with a 64 in Mexico before a Saturday 74 blew him out the competition. He ranked 16th for GIR and 11th for driving accuracy on the Web.com Tour, stats which should prove invaluable this week.
Anders Albertson- To Win 100/1, To Place 22/1
The Web.com graduate has enjoyed an encouraging start to life on the big boy tour. Albertson had a top 30 recently in Vegas but really shone at the Sanderson Farms Event. That last trip down south saw him land a brilliant top five finish that announced his arrival on tour. Albertson also has an intriguing historical connection with this course. He made it through Monday qualifying two years ago to make his PGA debut here. He opened with rounds of 68-68 before a disappointing Saturday scuppered his chances. He should thrive in this return to Bermuda greens. He averaged the most birdies on the Web.com Tour last season per round. His game should be suited to this relatively low-scoring test.
The Man to Beat- Russell Henley- To Win 35/1, To Place 7/1
Russell Henley has been in really poor form but should take solace from the decimated field taking part this week. The 29-year-old Georgia native loves playing near the shore. Two of his three tour wins have come in coastal events: he won the Honda Classic at PGA National and at Waialae Country Club. He also has course credentials, with three top 10 finishes in his last four appearances at the RSM Classic. He had a top 30 in Mexico last week, ranking fifth in both GIR and Driving Accuracy. Those categories usually prove quite vital around this course and this could be an ideal bounce-back venue for Henley.
