Andrew Novak surged to a one-shot lead at the RSM Classic, firing a 7-under 65 on Sea Island’s Plantation Course Friday to reach 16-under 126 for the tournament. The relaxed Novak, playing his first competitive golf in three months since the Tour Championship, is enjoying the freedom of competing without the pressure facing many others in the field.
Novak’s breakthrough season and recent life changes have put him in an enviable position. His wife gave birth to their first child just two weeks ago, and he’s already secured his PGA Tour status for next year. After opening with a sizzling 61 on the Seaside Course Thursday, he maintained his momentum despite bogeys on two of his final three holes.
“That’s such an advantage this week,” Novak said. “I had a baby two weeks ago, I’m just here getting out of the house and happy to be here and other guys are fighting for their job. I’ve got a little bit less riding on it. I definitely want to win. It’s a local tournament so there is extra motivation for me to play well here for that.”
“But some guys have their entire years riding on this week.”
Stanford alums Michael Thorbjornsen and Patrick Rodgers sit one shot back. Thorbjornsen posted a 63 at Seaside while Rodgers fired a 62 at Plantation. Sami Valimaki and Greyson Sigg share fourth place at 14-under after matching 62s.
While Novak cruises at the top, the real drama unfolded around the cut line. With the PGA Tour reducing exempt cards to the top 100 in the FedExCup for next season (down from 125), players hovering near that threshold faced immense pressure.
Beau Hossler, currently 103rd in FedExCup standings, kept his hopes alive by making the cut on the number at 7-under 135. He hit a clutch chip to set up a birdie on the par-5 eighth at Plantation, then scrambled for par from a bunker on his final hole.
“Kind of tough, honestly, this week with it just going to be an absolute shootout — no wind, greens are very receptive, virtually no rough,” Hossler said. “So just knowing that it’s more or less just going to be a wedge and putting contest.”
The calm conditions contributed to the exceptionally low cut line, leaving several notable players heading home early. Former Open champion Brian Harman, Sahith Theegala, and Joel Dahmen all missed the cut. Dahmen, who narrowly kept his card at Sea Island last year, will now lose his full status for next season.
Takumi Kanaya’s missed cut leaves him particularly vulnerable. After missing a crucial 4-foot par putt in windy conditions last week in Bermuda that would have moved him to 83rd in the FedExCup, he now sits precariously at 99th and must hope no one passes him over the weekend.
Johnny Keefer, the Korn Ferry Tour player of the year competing on a sponsor exemption, shot 64 at Seaside to sit three shots off the lead. Currently 50th in the world rankings, a top-5 finish might be enough to secure him a Masters invitation.
