Experience the thrilling opening round of The RSM Classic 2025 at Sea Island! Calm conditions set the stage for low scores, with Doug Ghim firing a record-tying 60 on the Seaside Course. Rico Hoey and Davis Thompson also impressed with matching 10-under 62s on the Plantation Course. We break down the leaderboard, analyze the impact of the calm weather on player performance, and discuss the key matchups for Round 2, including Max McGreevy vs. Jacob Bridgeman. Plus, we highlight Mackenzie Hughes’ strong start and his chances to go under 67.5 in Round 2. Don’t miss this exciting recap of the PGA TOUR action!
Get ready for a thrilling golf showdown at Sea Island, where calm conditions have set the stage for some impressive low scores. The RSM Classics opening round was a true spectacle. With a calm wind, golfers seized the opportunity to showcase their skills, attacking pins fearlessly. The wide fairways and minimal rough offered a penalty-free playground, unlike the usual Bite Sea Island is known for. Typically, positional players shine when the wind picks up, but today’s calm weather favored the bombers. A quick glance at the leaderboard reveals a clear trend. Length off the tea is a premium. And here’s where it gets interesting. With the weather holding, power off the tea will continue to be a decisive factor. Three golfers currently share the lead, each posting impressive scores. Rico Hoey and Davis Thompson both shot a remarkable 10 under 62 on the Plantation course, while Doug Gim stole the show on the seaside course with a careo 60, tying the tournament record. Gim’s performance is particularly noteworthy as it’s only the second time in his 8-year career that has grabbed a share of the first round lead. His previous achievement came earlier this year at the John Deere Classic, where he ultimately finished he 31. A strong showing this week could propel Gim into the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings, securing his full status for the 2026 PGA Tour season. As we head into Friday, the race is tight with 11 golfers within three shots of the leaders. Fanjual Sportsbook has Gim and Hoey as the favorites with odds of plus 600 closely followed by Andrew Novak at plus 750. Co-leader Thompson is just behind at plus 850. With plenty of talent in the mix and more golf to play, no one is out of contention just yet. Round two matchup. Max McGrevy minus 115 versus Jacob Bridgeman. The odds for this matchup seem to be more about expectations than recent performance. McGrevy is on a sneaky good run with his last four starts being impressive. T3, T-56, T11, T33. His T3 finish at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship was a standout, and he carried that momentum into a boggree opening 64 today. Bridgeman, on the other hand, is a talented golfer who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. While his talent is undeniable, his results have been inconsistent. He hasn’t finished in the top five since July and has had some shaky performances this fall. His issues stem from an unreliable putter and inconsistent driving, which has put him in tough spots. While season long metrics favor Bridgeman, McGrevy has the edge over the last four events, gaining more than a full stroke per round. Heading into the more challenging seaside course on Friday, the margin for Aeronos. If Bridgemond’s driver continues to misfire, McGrevy at minus 115 could wrap up the matchup shortly after the turn. Round two score. Mckenzie Hughes under 67.5 minus 138. Few golfers have a better track record at Sea Island than McKenzie Hughes, the 2016 champion. His win wasn’t a one-off. It was the start of a successful pattern. Hughes has finished in the top five here for times, including two runner-up results, showcasing his mastery of this course. He started Thursday strongly, birdying the first two holes of the plantation course. After a brief lull with six straight pars, he finished the day at five under, but a closing bogey left him feeling like he could have done better. Hughes heads to the par 70cside course on Friday with calm conditions expected to continue. He should be able to maintain his rhythm and post a score of three under or better. His strategy for success at Sea Island is straightforward. keep the ball in play, hit greens in regulation, and rely on his exceptional putting skills. Statistically, he’s one of the best putters on Bermuda Greens, gaining the 17th most strokes and ranking ninth in putting inside 10 ft. While Hughes is a strong pick for the player round score markets, there are several other golfers who should also hit their underscores. Remember, if you are someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, help is available. Call or text 1 800522470 for resources and support.
