Golf betting tips: Preview and tips for the 2022 RSM Classic

The RSM Classic, formerly known as the McGladrey Classic, debuted in October 2010 and has been played solely at the Sea Island Golf Club in Sea Island, Georgia.

The Seaside Course is the headline course but in 2015 the Plantation Course entered the rotation. Those teeing-it-up at the RSM Classic will play the Plantation Course on either the Thursday or Friday. After the cut the field will be reduced to 70 players (+ties) and they will play the Seaside Course over the weekend.

Course Overviews

The Plantation Course was designed by Walter Travis and opened for play in 1928. The layout was extensively renovated by Rees Jones in 1998. He referred to the course as a “parkland by the sea” for its magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and its lush natural scenery.

The Plantation Course unfolds among a forest of oak and cedar, with danger lurking for the wayward in its tidal creeks and lakes. The fairways are wide and the 10th wanders along the Saint Simons Sound before turning inland. It is a scenic introduction to a solid back nine that finishes at a risk-reward Par 5.

From the championship tees the Par 72 classical layout can stretch to 7,060 yards. The redesign combined the best of parkland features with the windswept beauty of a links course. The strategic nature of the design is evident at the 12th hole. The hole plays through trees to a well bunkered green with the Atlantic Ocean as a back-drop.

The Seaside Course is the host course and was originally designed in 1929 by Harry Colt and Charles Alison. The course was updated in 1999 by Tom Fazio and plays firm and fast in the tradition of Scottish links. The layout places a premium on careful shot selection, scrambling and putting.

Located right on the southern tip of St. Simons Island this sea-side links style course is susceptible to windy conditions. At a little over 7,000 yards length is not important and the fairways are relatively easy to find. The green complexes are large for a Par 70 layout.

Accurate iron-play will be rewarded with Birdie opportunities however the greens are tricky and fast. Both Par 5s (Nos. 7 and 15) are gettable and annually rank among the easier holes. An ability to manoeuvre the ball in blustery conditions could be important if the wind gets up.

By Tour standards, both the Seaside and Plantation Courses are easy but still manage to deliver a fair test in both course management and creativity around the greens.

A number of PGA Tour players reside near Sea Island including Davis Love III, Harris English, Brian Harman, Chris Kirk, Zach Johnson, Patton Kizzire and Russell Henley. Davis Love III is the host of the RSM Classic which benefits the Davis Love Foundation.

2021 RSM Classic | Talor Gooch

Last year, Talor Gooch shot a -6 (64) on Sunday to finish at -22 (260) and win the 2021 RSM Classic. His victory equalled the tournament record set by Kevin Kisner in 2014. It was enough for a three stroke victory over Mackenzie Hughes with Sebastian Munoz a further shot back. Gooch became the seventh player to make the RSM Classic his first victory..

His approach play was key to the victory. He finished 2^nd in Strokes Gained Approach-The-Green Putting which translated to a a gain of 6.280 strokes or almost 50% of his overall gain (for the three rounds on the Seaside Course). His flat-stick was dialled-in also. He finished 6^th in Strokes Gained Putting which translated to a gain of just over 5 strokes. Other stats for the week include T99 for Driving Accuracy, T40 for Distance, T5 for GIR and 13^th form Putts per GIR.

2020 RSM Classic | Robert Streb

Last year, Robert Streb made an 8-foot par putt on his final hole for a -19 (263) to force a playoff with Kevin Kisner. Streb captured the win on the second playoff hole for his second PGA Tour victory. His other victory also came in the RSM Classic back in 2014.

Putting was key for the 33-year old’s victory. He finished 20^th in Strokes Gained Putting which translated to a a gain of 4.504 strokes or just over 75% of his overall gain for the three rounds on the Seaside Course. Other stats for the week include T76 for Driving Accuracy, 112^th for Distance, T7 for GIR and 18^th form Putts per GIR.

2019 RSM Classic | Tyler Duncan

The 2019 edition of the tournament saw 30 year old Tyler Duncan prevail in a sudden death playoff with Webb Simpson to win his first PGA Tour title at the RSM Classic. Duncan birdied three of the last four holes in regulation for a closing round -5 (65) and a total -19 (263) for the week. He shot a second round 61 on the Seaside Course which included 10 Pars, 7 Birdies and 1 Eagle.

On a windy final round Duncan had to rely on accuracy to succeed missing only one fairway and two greens. He finished the tournament 2^nd in Strokes Gained Tee-To-Green and 14^th for Strokes Gained Putting. In particular his approach play was dialled-in. He finished 3^rd in the Strokes Gained Approach-The-Green category which yield a gain of nearly 5 strokes or almost 50% of his overall strokes gained. He finished the week ranked 47^th for Driving Distance, 6^th for Driving Accuracy, 4^th in GIR and 13^th in Putts per Gir.

2018 RSM Classic | Charles Howell III

In 2018, Charles Howell III ended an 11-year run without a win as he claimed victory in the RSM Classic. The 39-year-old holed a 15-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a playoff with Patrick Rodgers to clinch the title.

His game tee-to-green laid the foundation for his victory and in particular on approach. He was 19^th in the SG:Tee-To-Green category gaining just over 3 strokes for the three rounds on the Seaside Course. He also finished 24^th for SG:Putting which delivered a gain of 2.151.strokes. Other stats for the week include T12 for Driving Accuracy, 8^th for Driving Distance, 1^st for GIR and 19^th in Putts per GIR.

2017 RSM Classic | Austin Cook

The 2017 champion, Austin Cook, captured the RSM Classic title by four strokes from his nearest challenger, posting a -21 (261) total for the week. It was the fourth start of his first full season on Tour for the 26 year old. His game tee-to-green laid the foundation for his victory, topping the field in the Strokes Gained Tee-To-Green category.

Cook finished the week T4 for Driving Accuracy, 39^th for Driving Distance, T2 for GIR and 13^th in Strokes Gained Putting. The former University of Arkansas All-American old squared two bogeys for the week.

2016 RSM Classic | Mackenzie Hughes

In 2016, Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes secured his first PGA Tour title at the RSM Classic. He prevailed in a five-man playoff with Blayne Barber, Billy Horschel, Henrik Norlander and Camilo Villegas. Two extra holes were played on Sunday before poor light forced a suspension until Monday. Horschel bowed out after missing a short par putt at the first playoff hole.

When play resumed on Monday, Hughes rolled in his par putt from just off the green at the third playoff hole to claim the victory. He finished the week 1^st for Strokes Gained Around-The-Green and 3^rd for Strokes Gained Putting. He was also T11 for Driving Accuracy, 57^th for Driving Distance, T50 for GIR and 1^st for Putts per GIR.

2015 RSM Classic | Kevin Kisner

In 2015, Kevin Kisner won by six shots over runner-up Kevin Chappell finishing on a score of -22, a tournament record. On his way to victory he shot back-to-back rounds of 64 over the final two rounds. He squared only two bogeys for the week and finished T1 for Birdies racking up 22 in total. He finished the week 2^nd in Strokes Gained Tee-To-Green, T9 in GIR and 1^st in Putts per GIR.

2014 RSM Classic | Robert Streb

The 2014 champion, Robert Streb held his nerve in a playoff beating Will MacKenzie and Brendon de Jonge to win his first PGA Tour title. Streb can thank his victory to a stellar week with the putter finishing T2 for Strokes Gained Putting, 1^st in Putts per Round and 1^st for Birdies scoring 22 in total. His return on the two Par 5’s for the week was an eagle, four birdies and three pars.

RSM Classic Tips & Predictions

Seamus Power 22/1 (E/W) – a regular at Sea Island he finished T4 on a score of -15 (267) in last year’s edition of the tournament. Sits top of the pile in the FedEx Cup standings thanks to a fast start this season. Backed up a victory in the Bermuda Championship with a T3 in the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba. The 35-year-old places just outside the Top 30 in this week’s Stats Analysis. His mediocre stats this season belie somewhat his results and talent. From Ireland, his prospect improves when wind is a factor. Inexperience has rapidly eroded in favor of comfort and consistency on Tour. Good each way value.