The RSM Classic is the final PGA Tour event of 2015 before it shuts down for the Christmas break. The popular event has been part of the Tour since 2010 although it has undergone a few changes for the 2015 renewal. The sponsors have changed their name and the event organisers have been able to increase to field to 156 players by adding an extra course to proceedings.
The Sea Island Golf Resort has always hosted this event but in previous years the smaller field competed exclusively around the Seaside Course. The 7,005 yard track was originally two separate nine hole courses but Tom Fazio combined them into one real test of links golf in 1999. The players will also play one round at the Plantation Course which is a similar length but is only a par 70 compared to the Seaside’s par 70 layout. The Plantation is inland so will be affected less by the costal winds that will be a major consideration throughout the week although thankfully the weather forecast looks mild so we should get a full 72 hole competition that finishes on Sunday.
The addition of the Plantation Course makes it a bit more difficult picking a winner but we can be assured of one thing, the RSM Classic title is going to a player who putts well. Putting average and the number of one putts have always been the key stats for this event do don’t expect that to change.
Given that putting is important it is no surprise to see Graeme McDowell in the field. The Northern Irishman has not been himself over the past year or so but he put all those travails behind him last week when he putted his way to victory at the OHL Classic. McDowell showed all of his experience to edge out Russell Knox and Jason Bohn in a playoff and a cool head will be very important on St Simons Island. This season has already shown that it pays to back in-form players so have a punt on GMac at 25/1 with Coral.
When considering a bet for a course where putting is the most important aspect, it is hard to look past Brandt Snedeker. The 34-year-old American is a dream to watch for golf fans, there’s no messing around he just gets up and hits his shot whether he’s on the tee, fairway or green. This season alone he ranks fifth for shots gained from tee to green and he’ll love the tricky challenge of the two Sea Island courses so get on board at 33/1 with Bet365.
The final player to bet on this week is Peter Malnati. The American won his maiden PGA Tour event at the Sanderson Farms Championship and placed tied for 10th last week thanks, in large part, to his ability with the flat stick. It may have taken a little while for Malnati to make his breakthrough but he looks like a seasoned tour pro and with his incredible putting stats he could double up at odds of 80/1 with Coral.