The RSM Classic at Sea Island kicked off with a bang! Calm conditions led to low scores, with Doug Ghim firing a record-tying 60 to share the lead alongside Rico Hoey and Davis Thompson. We break down the Round 1 highlights, analyze the leaderboard, and preview Round 2 matchups. Will the bombers continue to dominate? Can Doug Ghim maintain his momentum? We also discuss Max McGreevy vs. Jacob Bridgeman and Mackenzie Hughes’ chances of going under 67.5. Don’t miss this in-depth analysis of the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic!
Key Topics:
– Doug Ghim’s record-tying 60
– Leaderboard analysis: Hoey, Thompson, and Ghim
– Round 2 predictions: McGreevy vs. Bridgeman
– Mackenzie Hughes’ chances at Sea Island
– Calm conditions and their impact on scoring
RSMClassic #PGATOUR #GolfHighlights #DougGhim #SeaIslandGolf
Imagine a golf tournament where the course seems to roll out the red carpet for players, inviting them to unleash their best shots without fear of punishment. That’s exactly what happened during the opening round of the RSM Classic at Sea Island, where calm winds and forgiving fairways set the stage for a scoring frenzy. But here’s where it gets controversial. Does this setup truly test the skill of the world’s best golfers? Or does it simply reward raw power over precision? Written by Brad Thomas. The day’s events unfolded like a perfectly scripted movie. With the wind taking a rare day off, golfers were free to attack pins aggressively, and the results were nothing short of spectacular. The wide fairways and virtually non-existent rough meant that even missed shots came with minimal consequences. Sea Island’s usual bite was nowhere to be found, leaving the door wide open for the big hitters to dominate. Traditionally, when the wind picks up, strategic players who focus on positioning thrive. Not this time. The absence of any real trouble allowed the bombers to take center stage. A quick glance at the leaderboard confirms this. If you weren’t long off the tea, you were likely struggling to keep up. And this is the part most people miss. While power is king in these conditions, it’s the ability to capitalize on opportunities that truly separates the leaders from the pack. At the top of the leaderboard, three players stand tied. Rico Hoey and Davis Thompson each carded impressive 10 under 62s on the Plantation course. But the spotlight belongs to Doug Gim, who delivered the round of the day on the seaside course. Gim stunning 60 tied the tournament record and marked just the second time in his 8-year career that he’s held a share of the first round lead. The first came earlier this year at the John Deere Classic where he ultimately finished T31. A strong performance this week could propel Gim into the top 100 of the FedEx Cup standings, securing his full status for the 2026 PGA Tour season. As we head into Friday, 11 golfers sit within three shots of the leaders, keeping the competition fierce. On the odds board at FanDuel Sportsbook, Gim plus 600 and Hoey plus 600 are the favorites, closely followed by Andrew Novak plus 750 and co-leader Thompson plus 850. With so much talent in the hunt and plenty of golf left to play, no one is out of contention just yet. But here’s a thought-provoking question. In a setup like this, are we truly seeing the best golfers rise to the top, or are we simply witnessing who can hit it the farthest? Let’s dive into a couple of key matchups and player performances to find out. In round two, the matchup between Max McGrevy minus 115 and Jacob Bridgeman is one to watch. McGrevy is on a quietly impressive streak with recent finishes of T3, T-56, T11, and T33. His T3 at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship stands out and he carried that momentum into a bogey-free 64 on Thursday. Bridgeman, on the other hand, remains a player with undeniable talent but inconsistent results. His last top five finish came in early July, and his fall performances have been shaky thanks to an unreliable putter and erratic driving. While seasonlong metrics favor Bridgemond, McGrevy has the edge in recent form, gaining over a stroke per round on Bridgemond in their last four events. With both players heading to the more challenging seaside course on Friday, McGrevy’s consistency could give him the upper hand. Another player to keep an eye on is McKenzie Hughes, who’s aiming to score under 67.5 minus 138. In round two, Hughes has a stellar history at Sea Island, including a win in 2016 and four top five finishes. His opening round on Thursday started strong with birdies on the first two holes, though he cooled off with six straight pars before finishing at five under. Heading to the par 70 seaside course, Hughes is well positioned to take advantage of the calm conditions. His strategy is clear. keep the ball in play, hit greens in regulation, and let his exceptional putting do the rest. Statistically, he’s one of the best putters in the field, ranking 17th in strokes gained on Bermuda Greens and ninth in putting inside 10 ft. But here’s a counterpoint to consider. While Hughes’s track record at Sea Island is impressive, can he maintain his focus and avoid the late round mistakes that cost him on Thursday? Only time will tell. For now, he remains a strong favorite in the player round score markets. As the tournament unfolds, one thing is certain. This setup favors the bold. Whether you’re a power hitter or a strategic player, Sea Island is giving everyone a chance to shine. The question is, who will rise to the occasion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Do you think this course setup truly tests the best golfers, or does it favor power over precision? And who’s your pick to take home the title this weekend? Four resources to overcome a gambling problem.
