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RSM Classic: Expert Picks

Brendon Todd’s putter is unbelievable.

By Mark Abell
World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba - Round Two Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Tournament Information

RSM Classic
Date: November 18th – 21st
Course: Sea Island Golf Club
Purse: $7.2mm ($1.3mm to winner)
2020 Winner: Robert Streb (-19)

Course: Sea Island Golf Course (Saturday and Sunday) and Plantation Course

At 7,005 and 7,058 yards respectively, these courses will play much different. Seaside has a slope of 131 and a rating of 73.1, while Plantation has a slope of 135 and a rating of 73.9. Seaside is a Tom Fazio design and it will test you with a variety of features—the bunkers lay throughout like craters blasted into the course. The water and canals run in and out and the rough varies from desert dust to thick brush to marshes. Plantation was designed by Walter Davis and Mark Love, it is more generous with spacious fairways and fewer water and bunkers. It will require proactive vision and planning of shots to circumnavigate.

The RSM Classic - Round Two Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

My Starting 4

Scottie Scheffler (second selection this year) – Scottie finished among the top five each of the last two years at Sea Island. Top 25 in FedEx points and OWGR, Scottie has two top five finishes this season.

Alex Noren (first selection this year) — Alex finished among the top 10 each of the last two years at Sea Island. Alex is 61st in OWGR, he’s made every cut this season and he’s 83rd in strokes gained off the tee.

Matthew NeSmith (second selection this year) — NeSmith was a top 15 finisher the last two years here. Matthew has one top 15 finish this season and made the cut 2/3 of the time. He is 12th in strokes gained approaching the green but his putting holds him back.

Brendon Todd (second selection this year) — Brendon finished 29th here in 2019 and improved up to 4th in 2020. Todd has two top 25’s this season behind ELITE putting (4th in strokes gained).

My Bench 2

David Hearn (second selection this year) — The only PGA player who has been a top 30 finisher here each of the last three years. Hearn is a risky play, he has a 39th place finish and a missed cut, he’s nowhere inside the top 100 in strokes gained off the tee, approaching the green, around the green or putting.

Tyler Duncan (first selection this year) — Tyler has been among the top 40 each of the last few years. Currently 84th in FedEx ranking, he has two top 30s this season and pedigree for strong play off the tee.

2021-2022 Stats

Start: Average Finish 38th (33rd percent)
Bench: Average Finish 64th (55nd percent)