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2024 The RSM Classic: Preview, Props & Best Bets

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The RSM Classic 2024: Preview, Picks, and Insights

The 2024 PGA Tour season wraps up with its 47th and final event, The RSM Classic, starting Thursday at Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Georgia. This event holds special significance as players battle for spots in the 2025 season’s first two signature events and strive to secure full playing privileges by finishing within the top 125 of the FedEx Cup Fall standings.

Tournament Details

  • Location: Sea Island Golf Club, St. Simons Island, Ga.
    • Seaside Course: Par 70, 7,005 yards
    • Plantation Course: Par 72, 7,060 yards
  • Purse: $7.6 million (Winner: $1.368 million)
  • Defending Champion: Ludvig Aberg
  • TV Coverage: Golf Channel
    • Thursday-Friday: 12-3 p.m. ET
    • Saturday-Sunday: 1-4 p.m. ET
  • Streaming: ESPN+ (Thursday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. ET)

Key Storylines

Battle for Top 125 Status

This event is critical for players ranked Nos. 122-140 in the FedEx Cup Fall standings. Full PGA Tour status for 2025 hangs in the balance. Among the notable names:

  • Joel Dahmen (No. 124)
  • Wesley Bryan (No. 125)
  • Henrik Norlander (No. 126)
  • Daniel Berger (No. 127)

Local Connections and Advantage

Several Sea Island residents, including Brian Harman, Davis Thompson, and Chris Kirk, bring local knowledge to this tournament. Harman, a key figure on the winning U.S. Presidents Cup team, and Thompson, a recent PGA Tour winner, are expected to leverage their familiarity with the course.

AON Next 10 Race

Seven of the top 10 in the AON Next 10 standings will compete this week. The top 10 players after this event earn spots in the first two designated events of 2025. Players like Mackenzie Hughes (No. 51) and Patrick Rodgers (No. 53) are vying for these coveted slots.

Prop Picks

Chris Kirk Over Matt Kuchar (-115 at DraftKings)
Kirk, a former Sea Island resident and world No. 44, has played in every edition of The RSM Classic. While Kuchar has been steady during the fall swing, Kirk’s local experience and recent rest may give him the edge.

Austin Eckroat Top 30 Finish (+105 at BetRivers)
Eckroat, fresh off a win in Mexico, is riding high on confidence. His consistent season saw him make the second round of the FedEx Cup playoffs, and he’s well-suited to contend in a relatively weaker fall field.

Callum Tarren Top English Finisher (+550)
Tarren, a big-hitter, has rebounded with a T37 finish last week and could surprise in a long-shot prop. With Matt Wallace (-150) jet-lagged from international play, Tarren has a chance to outperform his fellow Englishmen.

Best Bets to Win

Ludvig Aberg (+900)
The defending champion returns after knee surgery, looking to recapture the magic of his record-tying 253 finish last year. Aberg’s precision suits the Sea Island layout, and his confidence should keep him in the mix.

Brian Harman (+2200)
Harman has both the skill and the local edge to shine at Sea Island. Having taken a break since the Presidents Cup, he’ll be fresh and motivated in front of a home crowd.

Luke Clanton (+4000)
Clanton, a 21-year-old amateur with three top-10s in seven starts this year, has shown he can handle the pressure of professional events. At long odds, he’s an intriguing pick.

Players to Watch

Local Favorites

  • Davis Thompson: A Sea Island resident and recent tour winner.
  • Chris Kirk: Former resident with a history of solid finishes at this event.

Top-125 Bubble

  • Daniel Berger (No. 127): Battling injuries, Berger’s experience could prove vital.
  • Wesley Bryan (No. 125): A strong finish is essential to maintain full status.

AON Next 10 Contenders

  • Maverick McNealy (No. 52): Seeking to secure his spot in 2025 signature events.
  • Seamus Power (No. 55): Consistency could see him rise in the standings.

Noteworthy Facts

  • Aberg’s winning score last year (253) tied the all-time low for a 72-hole PGA Tour event.
  • Sea Island’s dual-course setup requires players to navigate both a par-70 and par-72 layout over the week.
  • This is the final chance for players to earn exempt status and qualify for signature events in 2025.

As the PGA Tour bids farewell to its 2024 season, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With players jockeying for status and signature event slots, The RSM Classic promises high drama and fierce competition. Let the final chapter of this season unfold!