Doug Ghim flirted with golf’s magic number Thursday, coming up just short of a 59 but still tying the course record with a blistering 10-under 60 at Sea Island’s Seaside course during the RSM Classic. It’s a crucial start for Ghim, who entered the week at No. 125 in the FedExCup standings, desperately needing a strong finish to secure his PGA Tour status for 2026.
Ghim wasn’t alone in taking advantage of the unusually calm, warm conditions. Davis Thompson, whose father Todd serves as the tournament director, matched Ghim’s 10-under total with a 62 at the Plantation course, as did Rico Hoey.
Andrew Putnam, also fighting for his card at No. 119 in the standings, posted a 9-under 61 at Seaside after missing chances to go even lower on his final two holes. Andrew Novak, playing for the first time since becoming a father and since the Tour Championship in August, equaled Putnam’s 61.
“I thought I made it halfway there and at the end of the day that’s all I really can do,” Ghim said about his birdie attempt on the 18th that would have given him a 59. “Just pleased to just have a chance really.”
The stakes are particularly high this week. Only the top 100 in the FedExCup standings will retain full status for 2026 when field sizes shrink, making this final event of the year critical for players on the bubble like Ghim.
When asked about what finish he needs to crack the top 100, Ghim preferred to stay focused on his game. “If someone tells me, it doesn’t really change anything,” he said. “I probably need to finish top 3. I don’t know exactly what the numbers are, but honestly, out here finishing third is almost just as hard as winning. So I’m just focused on playing solid golf and hopefully getting my chance to win.”
The Seaside course typically presents a tougher challenge because of coastal winds, but Thursday’s windless conditions created a scoring bonanza. The average score at Seaside was 67.8, while Plantation played to 68.5.
Ghim’s round included a stretch of four consecutive birdies, with two coming from about 15 feet. Novak’s only real mistake was a pulled tee shot at No. 10 that forced a penalty drop just 200 yards from the tee, leading to his lone bogey.
“For not playing since August, pretty happy,” Novak said. “Actually been working pretty hard and really seeing a lot of progress. Then two weeks ago my wife had our baby, so I really haven’t done as much the last weeks. So it was nice to see some good weather out here and play a course that I’m more used to seeing, versus what we usually get at the RSM with the cold and wind.”
Hoey hit all 18 greens in regulation for the first time in his career and drained a 45-foot eagle putt on the par-5 14th at Plantation.
Johnny Keefer, who earned his PGA Tour card by leading the Korn Ferry Tour this year, overcame a rough start with seven birdies over his final 10 holes for a 65 at Seaside. Currently ranked 50th in the world, Keefer needs a strong showing to boost his chances of qualifying for the Masters.
Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, who sits precariously at No. 99 in the standings after a costly missed par putt in Bermuda last week cost him 16 spots in the rankings, bogeyed his final two holes for a 68.
Tournament host Davis Love III, age 61, shot 71.
