THREE OFF THE TEE

Harry Higgs, a massive fan favorite, is one of the few whose PGA Tour card lies in the balance this weekend.

The RSM Classic at Sea Island this week is not just another tournament on the PGA Tour calendar. For the first time in its history, it marks the end of a PGA Tour season, making it the last opportunity for golfers to secure their Tour cards by finishing in the top 125 of the FedEx Cup Fall points list.

Traditionally, the cut-off for the top 125 was after the Wyndham Championship, allowing players to compete in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals for additional Tour cards. However, with the PGA Tour reverting to a calendar-based schedule and the new FedEx Cup Fall, the RSM Classic has become the critical juncture for players’ futures.

Interestingly, not every player around the top 125 bubble faces the same level of risk. Former Tour winners like Peter Malnati and Ryan Palmer have the Past Champion category to fall back on, offering them some playing opportunities next season, albeit with a lower priority ranking than the top 125 finishers. Additionally, Nico Echavarria, with his win at the Puerto Rico Open, is secured for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Among those in jeopardy, seven pros stand out as particularly vulnerable to losing their Tour cards at the RSM Classic. These include Doug Ghim (121st), Andrew Novak (124th), Carl Yuan (125th), Henrik Norlander (126th), Maverick McNealy (127th), Zecheng Dou (132nd), and Harry Higgs (145th). Their performances in this tournament are crucial, as they battle not just for victory but for their livelihoods in the sport.

This scenario adds an extra layer of intensity and drama to the RSM Classic, transforming it from a regular tour event into a make-or-break moment for many professionals. The stakes are high, and the outcomes will significantly impact the careers of these players, making this year’s RSM Classic an unmissable event for golf fans worldwide.