SIMMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Doug Ghim had a low-scoring, calm day Thursday, lacking a putt of 59. He received a share of the course file at Sea Island’s Seaside Course, capturing a 10-under 60 on the RSM Traditional, a giant step towards retaining his PGA Tour card.
Davis Thompson, son of match director Todd Thompson, and Rico Hoey have been additionally 10 underneath, every capturing a 62 on the Plantation Course, which was used for the opening two rounds.
Andrew Putnam was within the sub-60 spherical vary till he shot a 9-under 61 with two pars on the Seaside Course. Becoming a member of him with a 9-under 61 was Andrew Novak, taking part in for the primary time because the Tour Championship in late August and since changing into a father.
Seaside is a stronger check than standard due to the robust winds coming off the water. Aside from at the present time, the climate was very heat with no wind, excellent for low scores.
Ghim had 4 straight birdies, two from 15 toes, and on the 18th gap, his birdie putt from 20 toes slid down the aspect of the opening.
“I assumed I used to be midway there, however on the finish of the day, that is all I can do,” Ghim mentioned. “I’m simply glad I had the possibility.”
Equally pleasing is the model of golf he performed within the closing occasion of the 12 months. Solely the highest 100 gamers within the FedEx Cup will preserve full standing till 2026, when the sector is lowered, down from 125 the earlier 12 months.
This was the beginning he wanted as Gim completed one hundred and twenty fifth. I do not understand how excessive I want to complete to be within the high 100, nor do I need to know.
“No matter somebody tells me would not actually change something,” Ghim says. “I most likely want to complete within the high three. I do not know the precise numbers, however actually, ending third right here is simply as arduous as profitable. So I am simply centered on taking part in strong golf and hopefully getting an opportunity to win.”
Putnam was 119th. The remaining three of the highest 5 scores can be fantastic subsequent 12 months.
Novak had a breakthrough 12 months, profitable the Zurich Traditional of New Orleans with Ben Griffin, competing nicely sufficient to achieve the Tour Championship for the primary time, and showing in all 4 majors.
His solely mistake was hitting his tenth tee shot right into a tree, leading to a penalty drop and a bogey simply 200 yards from the tee.
“I have not performed since August, so I am very glad,” he mentioned. “I’ve really been working fairly arduous and actually seen a number of progress. Then my spouse had our child two weeks in the past, so I have not been working too arduous the previous couple of weeks. So it was good to have good climate right here and play on a well-known course versus RSM, which is at all times chilly and windy.”
Hoey hit all 18 greens for the primary time on the par-5 14th at Plantation, holed a 45-foot eagle putt. Davis Love III, the 61-year-old match host, took 71 photographs.
Seaside’s common rating was 67.8 (2.2 strokes underneath par), whereas Plantation’s common was 68.5 (3.5 strokes underneath par).
Johnny Kiefer, who led this 12 months’s Korn Ferry Tour in incomes his card, enters this week ranked fiftieth on the earth and will use the large week to attempt to qualify for the Masters. At Seaside, he overcame a troublesome begin with seven birdies within the closing 10 holes for a 65.
Japan’s Takumi Kanaya carded a bogey 68 on his closing two holes. Final week in Bermuda, he missed a brief par putt within the wind, lacking 16 spots within the FedEx Cup and ending 99th.
