Davis Thompson, Rico Hoey and Doug Ghim share the lead at 10 under par after the opening round of the PGA Tour’s season-ending RSM Classic in Georgia.
Thompson and Hoey each shot a 62 on the Plantation Course, while Ghim posted a 60 on the Seaside Course. The trio sit one stroke clear of Americans Andrew Putnam and Andrew Novak, who both carded 61 on the Seaside.
The $7m tournament is the final event of the 2025 PGA Tour season, with the top 100 in the standings after the event earning their cards for 2026. Thompson and Philippines player Hoey have already secured their places for next year, while Ghim is trying to move up from 125th in the FedEx Cup Fall standings.
Ghim ran off four straight birdies—two from around 15 feet—and narrowly missed a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th. “I thought I made it halfway there and at the end of the day that’s all I really can do,” he said. “Just pleased to just have a chance really.” He added that he’s not sure exactly where he needs to finish to crack the top 100 and that knowing the numbers wouldn’t change his approach. “I probably need to finish top three. 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.”
Ireland’s Seamus Power carded a six-under 64 on Seaside as he also pursues a top-100 finish. Players will play both the Seaside and Plantation courses over the opening two rounds, with the cut made on Friday; the closing weekend will be contested on the Seaside Course.