Niall Lyons has five selections from the RSM Classic this week at Sea Island Golf Club (Seaside & Plantation), Georgia, USA.
RSM Classic
The RSM Classic will be held at the Sea Island Golf Club (Seaside & Plantation), Georgia, USA.
The Plantation and Seaside courses in Sea Island provide the backdrop for the final excursion of the year for many of these pros and playing privileges are up for grabs for anyone in and around the 125-150 mark in the Fedex standings.
There is a lot to play for and we have a wealth of history and stats on this event to pour over.
William Hill
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- Cash-in option to help increase profitability
- Excellent reputation within the UK betting-industry
Playing in Sea Island often throws up local success stories and with more and more players basing themselves here there is an increasing chance each year that somebody who either grew up there or is currently based there will walk home with the spoils.
There are also a good deal of courses with similar characteristics that we can look to for some pointers.
Coastal courses here in Sea Island often throw up similar results to the Sony at Waialae, the RBC at Harbour Town and a nod to form at PGA National that holds the Honda Classic is also worth considering.
A solid long game is needed to contend here as we see in the stats tables strokes gained tee to green is ranked highly in almost all the winners and placers here down the last three years.
RSM Classic Tips
- 1.75pts each-way A.Eckroat 40/1 (1/5 8) Paddypower, Betfair
- 1.5pts each-way M.Kim 60/1 (1/5 8) Skybet, Bet365, WilliamHill
- 1pt each-way D.Berger 80/1 (1/5 8) Skybet
- 1pt each-way N.Echavarria 80/1 (1/5 8) Skybet, Paddypower, WilliamHill
- 1pt each-way B.Kohles 150/1 (1/5 8) WilliamHill
Austin Eckroat at 40/1 (Eight Places)
Austin Eckroat was absolutely impeccable during his final round in Mexico and it was similar to the way in which he dispatched of his opponents with ease at the Cognizant early in the year.
PGA National is a significant correlated course for Sea Island so it's no surprise to see him popular in the betting.
I am very surprised to see quotes as big as 45/1 early doors though and anything at 33/1 or bigger looks value to me.
A week off following his win is ideal and he should arrive here with plenty on confidence.
His only appearance here resulted in a top ten finish whilst top 20s at Harbour Town and Waialae together with his win at PGA National mean he has very strong credentials here at Sea Island.
He is very well equipped by the coast and whilst I wasn't mad keen on selecting him this week the market speaks to me more and I just can't turn down the price.
Michael Kim at 60/1 (Eight Places)
Michael Kim has been playing impressive golf lately and despite an average record around these types of courses he makes my staking plan this week.
The reason why is that he is hitting some of his best approach numbers of his career lately and may just be on the cusp of his second tour victory.
Kim's iron play has been in decent nick all year but lately it has ramped up a little. 5th at the Shriners was a welcome good week on the greens.
The putter has undoubtedly held him back at times but Vegas was a sign of how good he can be if he has one good week with the putter.
Stats are thin on the ground from the last few weeks but 30th in Mexico was fair and 12th last week at the windy Bermuda is decent preparation for this.
If he continues the run with his iron play he is a serious danger to all in the field.
1.5pts each-way M.Kim 60/1 (1/5 8) Skybet, Bet365, WilliamHill
Daniel Berger at 80/1 (Eight Places)
I have officially dived off the cliff and I'm now in the deep end needing rescued for sure, but I shall not be stopped from backing Daniel Berger once again.
62nd last week wasn't the result we were looking for but it was his 5th made cut on the trot and given the weather conditions in Bermuda I can forgive erratic results from any player.
Berger's wasn't so bad of course but he arrives here with a wealth of relevant course form Harbour Town and Waialae.
In 11 appearances at those courses he is yet to miss a cut and his only appearance here at Sea Island resulted in a 22nd place back in 2015.
Berger is working hard in this fall season and I still believe any return towards his best golf will see off a field like this, granted that Aberg doesn't come back all guns blazing.
He is putting better than many of his competitors of late and maybe a slightly tamer week by the coast will suit better than last week's hooley in Bermuda.
Nico Echavarria at 80/1 (Eight Places)
The standard in the field has increased compared to the last couple of weeks but I'm not sure if Nico Echavarria should have drifted towards 80/1 and beyond.
The Colombian won so very impressively in Japan just three weeks ago and certainly hasn't disgraced himself since with a 6th placed finish in Mexico then 29th last week in Bermuda.
In poor weather conditions that suggests to me that Nico is still hitting the ball pretty well and I'm happy to have a go at the price seeing he doesn't seem too far away from another weekend in contention.
It's my hunch but I don't think the bookmakers have a hold on quite how good this kid might be, and for now I'll follow that hunch and back at these prices.
1pt each-way N.Echavarria 80/1 (1/5 8) Skybet, Paddypower, WilliamHill
Ben Kholes at 150/1 (Eight Places)
Tom Whitney is an outsider worth considering around the 250/1 mark as he's hitting the ball extremely well on approach, especially from the yardages we're after here in Sea Island.
His putting is unlikely to hold up though and at the prices I prefer Ben Kholes.
Kohles looks like one of those who must be supported at triple figure prices here back at the RSM where he closed with a 63 to finish 5th just last year.
Kohles' ball striking has been tremendous all year and given how important a solid tee to green game is here at Sea Island then he should be fancied to go well once again.
He has made five of his last six cuts which is no surprise given how well he is hitting the ball.
The pendulum will swing on whether or not he can putt well enough to contend, and over the last couple of months that has been the problem.
He putted very well here last year and if he can reproduce that level then he should have enough elsewhere in his game for a decent finish.
