Hoey shares lead at RSM Classic

Hoey shares lead at RSM Classic | Daily Tribune

Rico Hoey shined on a calm, low-scoring Thursday at The RSM Classic, firing a 10-under 62 on the Plantation Course to grab a share of the early lead and put himself firmly in the hunt heading into Friday.

Hoey’s round was textbook precision — hitting all 18 greens in regulation for the first time in his PGA TOUR career — capped by a 45-foot eagle putt on the par-5 14th. His ball-striking and control stood out on a day when conditions were ideal for scoring, with warm weather and virtually no wind across Sea Island.

He finished tied at 10 under with Davis Thompson, the son of tournament director Todd Thompson, who also posted a 62 on the Plantation Course.

But Hoey wasn’t the only one chasing history.

On the Seaside Course, Doug Ghim narrowly missed a putt for a 59, settling instead for a brilliant 10-under 60, tying the course record and taking a critical step toward keeping his PGA TOUR card. Starting the week at No. 125 in the FedExCup standings — where only the top 100 retain full status for 2026 — Ghim’s round featured four straight birdies, including two from 15 feet, and a 20-foot birdie try on the final hole that caught the edge.

“I thought I made it halfway there,” Ghim said. “Just pleased to have a chance, really… I probably need to finish top 3, but honestly, out here finishing third is almost just as hard as winning.”

Ghim wasn’t alone in going low.

Andrew Putnam and Andrew Novak both carded 61s at Seaside, with Putnam (No. 119 in the standings) also seeking to secure his card. Novak, playing for the first time since the TOUR Championship — and for the first time since becoming a father — overcame a bogey on the 10th after a pulled tee shot to match Putnam at 9 under.

The scoring gap between courses was narrow but notable: the Seaside Course averaged 67.8 (2.2 under), while the Plantation Course gave up slightly more at 68.5 (3.5 under).

Elsewhere, Johnny Keefer, the Korn Ferry Tour’s season points leader, closed with seven birdies over his last 10 holes for a 65 at Seaside as he chases a late push toward a Masters invitation.

Japan’s Takumi Kanaya slipped with bogeys on his last two holes to shoot 68, a week after a missed short par putt in windy Bermuda cost him 16 FedExCup spots and left him at No. 99.

Tournament host Davis Love III, 61, carded a 71.

But the day belonged to Hoey and Ghim — one flawless from tee to green, the other flirting with golf history — as the RSM Classic opened with fireworks and set up a high-pressure fight for TOUR cards, trophies and season futures.