PGA First Look: RSM Classic

The PGA First Look is complete with a course preview, odds, salaries, Official World Golf Rankings, and course history.

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Event Preview

For the final PGA Tour event of the calendar year, we head to the Sea Island Resort for the RSM Classic. Many will be playing a “home game” this week, as a lot of professional golfers have homes and/or instructors on Sea Island or the adjoining St. Simons Island. To name a few, Charles Howell III, Zach Johnson, Chris Kirk, Patton Kizzire, Matt Kuchar, Keith Mitchell, Trey Mullinax, J.T. Poston, Brandt Snedeker, Hudson Swafford, Harris English, Brian Harman will all get to sleep in the comfort of their own beds this week. The tournament has a slightly different setup than we are used to. In the first two rounds, golfers will play the Seaside Course and the Plantation Course. After the cut, the final two rounds will be played at the Seaside Course.

The Seaside Course is a Par 70 that measures 7,005 yards. As you can see from the length, it’s more of a technical challenge than a bomber’s paradise. Throughout the years, we’ve seen accuracy types perform better here than those that rely on distance off the tee. It’s not that longer hitters can’t succeed here, but you have to hit fairways to do so. We will see a lot of golfers club down off the tee, so the emphasis this week is on golfers with a good approach game and that can putt on Bermuda greens. The Plantation Course is a Par 72 that measures 7,058 yards. Both courses are fairly easy, although the Plantation Course features four par fives for golfers to feast on.

The weather is one of the main defenses of these two courses. If we don’t see a lot of wind in the forecast for the week, we are going to see a ton of birdies. In fact, even if the wind picks up a little, there will still be a lot of birdies. You have to be able to score to contend here, especially on the par fours. A strong approach game is critical, as is the ability to putt on these Bermuda greens. Over the last two years, the Seaside Course has ranked inside the top four in one-putt percentage, so having some type of knowledge or history of playing these greens is important. I will also be giving an edge to the plodders over the bombers.

Cut Rule:Top 70 and ties move on after the first two rounds. The MDF rule is in effect if more than 78 golfers make the cut.

Recent Winners of this Event:Mackenzie Hughes (2016), Kevin Kisner (2015), Robert Streb (2014), Chris Kirk (2013), Tommy Gainey (2012)

Key Statistics (In Order of Importance)

1) Strokes Gained Approach
2) Birdie or Better %
3) Par 4 Scoring
4) Strokes Gained Putting (Emphasis on Bermuda)
5) Strokes Gained OTT / Driving Accuracy

Salaries, Odds, and Course History (2013-2016)

Golfer DK Salary FD Salary FDRFT Salary OWGR Odds DK Odds FD Odds FDRFT Odds 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Kevin Kisner $11,600 $9,800 $17,000 26 17 0% 50% 0% 110 1 4 20 109
Matt Kuchar $11,100 $9,900 $16,800 15 20 -50% -200% 0% 129 25 22 7 500
Brian Harman $11,000 $8,800 $16,900 27 17 33% 71% 0% 135 118 41 10 27
Chesson Hadley $10,200 $7,300 $16,300 83 28 -75% 68% 13% 45 86 32 109 500
Ollie Schniederjans $9,900 $8,500 $15,800 112 29 -80% -13% 18% 6 500 500 500 500
Webb Simpson $9,800 $9,400 $16,700 42 22 33% 0% 0% 36 500 41 7 500
Charles Howell $9,500 $8,500 $16,600 59 26 29% 38% 0% 13 9 73 27 7
Bill Haas $9,300 $9,200 $16,500 51 27 25% -20% 0% 13 33 22 500 500
Zach Johnson $9,100 $9,000 $16,100 48 31 -11% -67% -11% 110 75 110 16 49
J.J. Spaun $9,000 $6,500 $15,400 164 49 -50% 50% -7% 57 500 500 500 500
Patton Kizzire $8,900 $7,100 $16,400 119 29 27% 68% -14% 81 86 54 500 500
Jason Kokrak $8,800 $7,000 $15,300 117 49 -42% 35% -13% 45 137 66 10 27
Graeme McDowell $8,700 $7,900 $15,100 159 50 -38% -20% -6% 500 3 500 500 500
Brandt Snedeker $8,600 $9,600 $15,900 47 33 21% -267% -10% 45 131 500 500 500
Bud Cauley $8,500 $7,500 $14,900 114 59 -53% -21% -15% 110 108 500 92 20
Jamie Lovemark $8,400 $8,200 $15,700 89 34 25% 0% 0% 6 9 500 500 500
William McGirt $8,300 $8,000 $15,200 81 50 -12% -36% -19% 27 500 32 74 500
Bubba Watson $8,200 $8,400 $14,800 68 57 -17% -110% 0% 500 500 500 500 500
Russell Knox $8,100 $7,500 $15,000 66 52 -5% -5% -5% 500 500 121 32 27
Scott Brown $8,000 $7,200 $15,500 107 41 35% 46% 0% 500 18 121 4 20
Beau Hossler $8,000 $6,600 $14,300 295 63 -20% 14% 20% 500 500 500 500 500
Sean O’Hair $7,900 $8,100 $14,200 88 74 -36% -131% 6% 500 18 17 92 20
Ryan Armour $7,800 $5,500 $14,000 168 75 -35% 50% 11% 36 500 81 500 500
Stewart Cink $7,700 $6,700 $13,800 145 85 -50% -33% 3% 10 63 32 102 64
Martin Laird $7,700 $7,700 $14,500 108 66 -8% -53% 0% 500 500 72 500 500
Chris Kirk $7,700 $5,800 $14,600 188 70 -21% 38% -21% 81 18 4 1 64
Andrew Johnston $7,700 $7,600 $13,900 150 97 -63% -117% -8% 500 500 500 500 500
Byeong-Hun An $7,600 $7,800 $14,500 86 66 4% -69% -4% 500 500 500 500 500
Whee Kim $7,600 $6,200 $14,600 116 59 21% 37% 8% 27 500 86 500 500
Brian Stuard $7,600 $5,700 $13,700 204 89 -32% 27% 3% 81 25 105 118 500
Nick Taylor $7,600 $5,400 $13,300 181 104 -54% 39% 0% 74 500 86 500 500
Kevin Streelman $7,500 $7,300 $15,100 154 49 50% 27% 6% 36 108 500 500 500
Si Woo Kim $7,500 $8,300 $14,700 39 43 56% -27% 36% 98 18 500 500 500
Patrick Rodgers $7,500 $6,600 $14,700 158 65 22% 11% -14% 10 44 500 500 500
Blayne Barber $7,500 $5,200 $13,400 327 98 -25% 51% 2% 2 75 89 500 500
Smylie Kaufman $7,500 $5,600 $13,300 209 108 -38% 21% -2% 500 33 500 500 500
Aaron Wise $7,500 $5,000 $13,100 232 127 -75% 43% -10% 500 500 500 500 500
Danny Lee $7,400 $7,400 $14,400 105 67 26% -33% 0% 500 500 110 40 27
David Lingmerth $7,400 $5,800 $13,200 122 118 -24% 0% 0% 500 63 14 500 500
Ben Martin $7,400 $6,100 $13,100 236 119 -29% -29% 4% 121 500 17 74 500
Robert Garrigus $7,400 $5,200 $13,100 214 128 -50% 30% -12% 33 143 500 22 500
Daniel Summerhays $7,400 $5,300 $12,800 143 147 -82% 9% -8% 500 500 32 10 109
Hudson Swafford $7,300 $6,300 $14,400 92 78 23% 3% -18% 36 118 12 86 500
Austin Cook $7,300 $5,800 $14,200 302 79 19% 26% -9% 500 500 500 500 500
Luke Donald $7,300 $6,200 $14,300 123 78 26% 9% -7% 36 500 500 500 500
Chad Campbell $7,300 $6,200 $12,400 219 154 -79% -120% 7% 13 9 41 36 7
Sung Kang $7,300 $6,000 $13,300 82 117 -7% -15% -7% 33 75 500 500 123
Cheng-Tsung Pan $7,300 $5,100 $12,900 170 126 -28% 39% 7% 6 500 500 500 500
Tyler Duncan $7,300 $5,000 $12,600 142 -56% 32% 9% 500 500 500 500 500
Padraig Harrington $7,300 $5,100 $13,600 133 96 12% 58% 3% 500 500 110 500 500
Brandon Harkins $7,300 $5,900 $13,000 339 125 -26% -26% 2% 500 500 500 500 500
JT Poston $7,200 $6,500 $14,100 261 79 35% -13% 0% 500 500 500 500 500
Camilo Villegas $7,200 $5,500 $13,000 343 131 -17% 2% -11% 2 75 54 40 20
Talor Gooch $7,200 $5,500 $12,900 192 139 -23% -3% -8% 500 500 500 500 500
Andrew Landry $7,200 $5,000 $12,500 199 171 -63% 14% -8% 500 108 500 500 500
Zac Blair $7,200 $5,500 $12,300 385 188 -79% -50% -6% 57 33 32 500 500
Jonathan Randolph $7,200 $4,900 $12,200 231 181 -73% 17% 3% 81 500 89 500 500
Michael Thompson $7,200 $4,500 $12,300 331 189 -85% 27% -9% 13 118 66 500 10
Abraham Ancer $7,200 $4,900 $12,400 254 171 -63% 21% -2% 500 108 500 500 500
John Oda $7,200 $5,500 $12,600 922 166 -62% -35% -14% 500 500 500 500 500
Kevin Tway $7,100 $5,900 $13,300 176 118 21% -12% -12% 71 500 500 120 500
Jonathan Byrd $7,100 $4,900 $12,000 275 165 -36% 23% 19% 21 44 100 55 500
Tom Hoge $7,100 $5,200 $12,800 403 139 -7% 20% -2% 98 9 32 500 500
Trey Mullinax $7,100 $5,500 $12,800 322 146 -11% -10% -6% 110 25 500 500 500
Bronson Burgoon $7,100 $4,800 $12,500 429 161 -33% 28% -3% 500 86 500 500 500
Ben Crane $7,100 $5,200 $12,500 400 180 -46% -10% -13% 64 108 500 92 27
Nick Watney $7,100 $6,400 $12,200 383 196 -62% -209% -6% 500 500 85 500 500
Ryan Blaum $7,100 $5,100 $11,700 356 201 -69% -14% 10% 71 500 500 500 500
Derek Fathauer $7,100 $5,000 $11,800 317 238 -85% -14% -1% 500 70 500 500 500
Michael Kim $7,100 $5,100 $12,000 303 205 -74% -18% -3% 27 52 500 500 500
Brian Gay $7,000 $5,100 $13,400 264 99 42% 54% 0% 139 500 500 4 43
Scott Stallings $7,000 $5,400 $12,900 260 130 17% 16% 0% 70 9 500 92 15
Brice Garnett $7,000 $5,300 $13,000 212 130 15% 21% -9% 500 85 73 36 500
Cameron Tringale $7,000 $5,600 $13,000 305 124 25% 5% 4% 27 500 22 27 115
John Huh $7,000 $5,400 $13,200 375 122 27% 26% -11% 27 9 48 500 500
Benjamin Silverman $7,000 $5,200 $12,700 262 158 -13% 1% -16% 500 500 500 500 500
Rory Sabbatini $7,000 $5,100 $12,100 364 201 -45% -14% -5% 45 500 22 70 27
Peter Malnati $7,000 $6,000 $12,300 657 178 -23% -118% 1% 121 75 500 500 500
Ricky Barnes $7,000 $5,300 $12,000 310 214 -54% -43% -6% 81 25 500 500 119
Johnson Wagner $7,000 $5,000 $12,300 337 183 -30% 7% -5% 98 33 81 126 500
Kelly Kraft $7,000 $5,300 $12,200 197 151 -3% 4% 22% 21 108 500 500 500
Davis Love $7,000 $5,500 $12,400 645 179 -24% -42% -6% 129 33 41 125 4
Ted Potter $7,000 $4,600 $11,700 221 246 -62% 10% 0% 500 500 500 36 89
Joel Dahmen $7,000 $4,800 $11,600 472 253 -65% -4% 1% 110 500 500 500 500
Seamus Power $6,900 $6,100 $12,900 316 135 26% -66% -7% 74 500 500 500 500
Aaron Baddeley $6,900 $5,700 $12,800 189 148 18% -37% -9% 500 86 48 40 500
Vaughn Taylor $6,900 $5,600 $12,700 255 149 16% -27% -3% 500 99 500 500 89
David Hearn $6,900 $5,600 $12,700 280 153 12% -34% -9% 500 9 500 40 51
Rob Oppenheim $6,900 $5,100 $12,800 226 135 27% 31% 3% 500 44 500 500 500
Stephan Jaeger $6,900 $5,300 $12,100 252 196 -16% -30% -1% 500 500 500 500 500
Retief Goosen $6,900 $5,200 $12,100 359 201 -21% -27% -5% 500 500 500 65 500
Martin Piller $6,900 $5,200 $12,600 285 149 16% 12% 4% 500 82 500 500 500
Keith Mitchell $6,900 $4,500 $12,100 345 200 -20% 23% -4% 500 500 500 500 500
Andrew Putnam $6,900 $4,800 $12,000 328 208 -26% 5% -4% 500 500 12 500 500
Ethan Tracy $6,900 $5,000 $10,900 482 314 -52% -30% 3% 500 500 500 500 500
Zecheng Dou $6,900 $4,500 $10,600 318 350 -56% -1% 9% 500 500 500 500 500
Conrad Shindler $6,900 $4,800 $11,600 361 258 -39% -4% 0% 500 500 500 500 500
Dru Love $6,900 $4,700 $11,000 303 -48% -4% 3% 500 137 500 500 500
Mackenzie Hughes $6,800 $6,400 $13,500 129 104 58% -31% -5% 1 500 500 500 500
Braden Thornberry $6,800 $5,400 $12,900 774 128 41% 17% 2% 500 500 500 500 500
Sam Saunders $6,800 $5,400 $12,500 242 155 21% -11% 1% 57 99 89 500 500
Tyrone Van Aswegen $6,800 $5,800 $12,400 311 164 17% -74% 1% 110 75 89 92 500
Cameron Percy $6,800 $5,100 $12,700 372 158 20% 12% -14% 21 33 63 500 500
Jim Herman $6,800 $4,700 $12,100 147 197 -2% 17% -3% 13 18 127 86 500
Xin-Jun Zhang $6,800 $4,800 $12,000 287 209 -9% 4% -5% 500 500 500 500 500
Billy Hurley $6,800 $4,900 $11,500 196 278 -23% -13% -2% 500 86 500 120 57
Nicholas Lindheim $6,800 $5,000 $12,200 324 195 1% 1% -5% 54 500 500 500 500
Rick Lamb $6,800 $4,500 $11,900 349 249 -17% 12% -6% 81 500 500 500 500
Ernie Els $6,800 $4,800 $10,800 537 350 -34% -18% 4% 110 500 500 500 500
Ken Duke $6,800 $4,500 $11,100 694 338 -33% 0% -3% 144 500 4 500 20
Kyle Thompson $6,800 $4,500 $10,800 312 431 -45% -9% -4% 500 500 500 500 61
Tommy Gainey $6,800 $4,700 $10,800 403 -42% -17% -2% 139 137 32 92 1
Robert Streb $6,700 $6,000 $13,200 140 113 60% -13% 4% 57 25 1 500 500
Harris English $6,700 $5,900 $13,200 207 121 55% -19% -9% 81 25 89 27 15
Shawn Stefani $6,700 $5,700 $13,100 332 120 56% 2% 2% 500 150 41 500 500
Morgan Hoffmann $6,700 $5,700 $12,600 175 141 42% -29% 11% 65 131 500 118 500
Adam Schenk $6,700 $5,600 $12,700 282 153 35% -32% -7% 500 500 500 500 500
Troy Merritt $6,700 $4,800 $11,300 470 297 -11% -11% 0% 135 500 500 109 500
Matt Every $6,700 $4,700 $11,700 682 235 1% 7% 3% 150 500 500 7 57
Dicky Pride $6,700 $10,900 932 384 -24% -5% 500 131 500 500 500
Josh Teater $6,700 $10,800 557 407 -26% -3% 45 500 105 500 500
D.A. Points $6,700 $4,700 $10,700 272 456 -28% -20% -1% 45 58 22 500 98
Denny McCarthy $6,700 $4,500 $12,300 556 260 -5% 10% -35% 500 500 500 500 500
Carl Pettersson $6,700 $4,500 $10,500 486 -30% -11% 1% 81 500 17 55 500
Greyson Sigg $6,700 $4,700 $10,600 1078 522 -31% -22% -1% 500 500 500 500 500
Kyle Owen $6,700 $4,500 $10,400 761 -35% -15% -1% 500 500 500 500 500
Martin Flores $6,600 $4,900 $12,200 256 193 24% 10% -4% 45 500 69 55 57
Fabian Gomez $6,600 $5,400 $12,600 348 154 40% -9% -3% 500 44 8 500 500
Henrik Norlander $6,600 $5,600 $12,000 418 188 27% -66% 10% 2 108 500 500 500
Richy Werenski $6,600 $5,700 $12,400 239 183 28% -78% -10% 98 500 500 500 500
Hunter Mahan $6,600 $5,500 $11,800 630 188 27% -50% 17% 153 500 500 500 500
Chris Stroud $6,600 $5,900 $11,900 173 217 13% -156% -1% 13 99 500 102 89
Lanto Griffin $6,600 $4,600 $11,100 367 281 3% 4% 4% 500 500 500 500 500
K.J. Choi $6,600 $5,100 $11,500 494 268 6% -33% 0% 81 52 500 500 500
J.J. Henry $6,600 $5,000 $11,400 485 303 1% -27% -2% 500 500 105 48 500
Cameron Champ $6,600 $5,200 $10,800 1054 372 -8% -69% 1% 500 500 500 500 500
Roberto Diaz $6,600 $4,800 $11,200 531 308 -1% -13% -2% 500 500 500 500 500
Greg Chalmers $6,600 $4,600 $10,900 446 383 -9% -9% -5% 500 131 500 10 500
Andrew Yun $6,600 $4,500 $10,400 389 669 -19% -14% 0% 500 500 500 500 500
Brett Stegmaier $6,500 $5,000 $11,900 606 225 21% -12% -2% 21 73 500 500 500
Cameron Champ $6,600 $5,200 $10,800 1054 372 -8% -69% 1% 45 143 73 500 126
Roberto Diaz $6,600 $4,800 $11,200 531 308 -1% -13% -2% 500 500 500 500 500
Greg Chalmers $6,600 $4,600 $10,900 446 383 -9% -9% -5% 65 4 54 500 500
Andrew Yun $6,600 $4,500 $10,400 389 669 -19% -14% 0% 500 500 500 500 500
Brett Stegmaier $6,500 $5,000 $11,900 606 225 21% -12% -2% 500 500 500 500 500
Steve Wheatcroft $6,500 $4,500 $11,400 516 294 11% 6% -1% 81 63 105 500 500
Tom Lovelady $6,500 $4,600 $11,500 390 275 14% 5% -1% 98 52 22 36 27
Jon Curran $6,500 $4,500 $10,900 393 358 3% -3% -2% 500 500 500 500 500
Sam Ryder $6,500 $4,500 $10,800 228 372 2% -4% 1% 121 33 2 16 4
Nate Lashley $6,500 $4,500 $11,000 250 328 7% 2% 0% 500 63 500 500 500
Jason Gore $6,500 $4,500 $11,200 507 328 7% 2% -3% 57 500 54 102 72
Stuart Appleby $6,500 $4,700 $11,000 558 353 4% -12% -4% 144 86 89 16 61
Corey Conners $6,500 $5,200 $11,800 624 244 19% -41% -2% 500 500 500 500 500
Brendon De Jonge $6,500 $4,500 $10,600 1172 472 -4% -11% 0% 500 500 500 500 500
Matt Atkins $6,500 $4,500 $10,700 409 417 -2% -8% 1% 500 500 500 500 500
Jason Bohn $6,500 $10,900 986 527 -6% -12% 500 500 500 500 500
Heath Slocum $6,500 $4,500 $10,500 639 -7% -14% -1% 500 500 500 500 500

Color Coding
Course history in BLUE indicates a top ten finish.
Course history in GREEN indicates a top 25 finish.
Course history in YELLOW indicates a made cut with a finish outside of the top 25.
Course history in RED indicates a missed cut.

Legend

Term Description
Site Odds The percentage differential between a golfer’s salary rank and odds rank. The higher the %, the better.
OWGR Official World Golf Ranking
Cuts Cut record of each golfer at this course in the last five seasons.
2013 – 2016 Columns Course history at this event in the last five seasons.

About the Author

Notorious
Derek Farnsworth (Notorious)

Derek Farnsworth (aka Notorious) is a lead RotoGrinders Expert and one of the most recognizable names and faces in all of DFS. Before joining the RotoGrinders team, Derek received a Master’s Degree from the University of Utah. When he’s not busy providing content, he’s dominating the DFS industry as evidenced by his consistent top rankings in several sports and multiple Live Final appearances. Noto provides expert NBA, NFL, MLB, and PGA analysis for RotoGrinders Premium members on a daily basis and has also been nominated for five different Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association (FSWA) awards. Follow Noto on Twitter – @RG_Notorious