RSM Classic 2022 Leaderboard: Harry Higgs, Andrew Putnam, Cole Hammer share 36-hole lead at Sea Island
It’s been three years since Harry Higgs led 36 holes on the PGA Tour. Heading into the weekend, sharing the top spot of the leaderboard with Andrew Putnam and Cole Hammer in the under-12s, the lovable Higgs will head up against that after spending a witnessing 2021-22 season. he lost his full-time position on the PGA Tour.
Finishing 125-150 in the FedEx Cup standings, Higgs was forced into the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifiers, where he missed three consecutive cuts. He started this season in a similar fashion before scoring 9 under 62 in the second round at the World Tech Championships in Mayakoba. At Sea Island on Friday, Higgs made another brave attempt in the second round, and this time took a 7 under 63 on the Seaside Course which the player will take in the final 36 holes.
Climbing to the top of the leaderboard at the end of the day, Higgs was perfect, scoring seven birdies and no bogey points. More of the same will be needed throughout the weekend as the leaderboard is congested with not only his co-leaders but also Joel Dahmen, Beau Hossler and Sahith Theegala 11 points behind.
Leaders
T1. Andrew Putnam, Cole Hammer, Harry Higgs (-12)
Putnam is a player of particular interest given the consistency he has been playing throughout the fall. Taking a salary in each start, the 33-year-old has now made 12 consecutive cuts since last season. During this time, he went through a few close calls with a T5 result at the St. Jude and a runner-up result at this season’s Zozo Championship as he looks to make it to the final nine again this weekend.
“My driving accuracy was probably the best of my career last year, so that really helps,” Putnam said. “Putting is back to pretty good as usual and my irons are pretty sharp this week as well. Nearly every part of my game is pretty good right now, so it’s an exciting time to play. golf.”
other candidates
T4. Beau Hossler, Joel Dahmen, Sahith Theegal (-11)
T7. Kevin Streelman, Seung-Yul Noh, David Lingmerth, Callum Tarren (-10)
T11. Alex Smalley, Ben Martin, Will Gordon, Chris Gotterup (-9)
T15. Seamus Power, Justin Suh, Patrick Rodgers, Dean Burmester (-8)
It’s been a great fall for Dahmen, and especially these last four games. In the RSM Classic head-to-head competition, the 35-year-old reached Sea Island after three consecutive top 20 finishes, including a T3 attempt at the Global Tech Championship. He spoke after the second round of his motivation this season as it marked his first campaign without a winner’s exemption since his win at the Championship. Corals 2021.
“You’re nervous all the time. Golf is hard. Golf is hard and can quickly go bad. Being free to play for a year and a half, two and a half years is really unprecedented in life. my career,” Dahmen said. “So yeah, like teeing off in Napa is like OK, we’re back to where we started. If you don’t play well, you don’t get a job. I certainly know that very well. And yes maybe, yeah, I don’t necessarily think about it when I’m out there, but I definitely got a few more days of practice. I mean, I always play better with my back against the wall a bit, and it’s hard to say you’re leaning against the wall when you’re just starting a year, but for sure for the first time in a few years it’s different for me.”
2022 RSM Classic updated odds and picks
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook
- Andrew Putnam: 5-1
- Sahith Theegala: 7-1
- Joel Dahmen: 7-1
- Beau Hossler: 12-1
- Harry Higgs: 12-1
- Cole Hammer: 14-1
- Will Gordon: 20-1
- Callum Tarren: 22-1
- Alex Smalley: 25-1
- Seamus Strength: 25-1
- Kevin Strelman: 25-1
- David Lingmerth: 30-1
Putnam was my pick at the start of the week and it’s comforting to see him top the odds for the second day in a row. There’s still faith he’ll move forward, but if looking for another option with a bit more water, Power could be the right man for the job at 25-1. The Irishman excelled this fall with a win and once again on the podium to credit him. He entered the weekend at this tournament a year ago, and there’s no indication he won’t be back for the next 36 holes.
