The PGA Tour is in Sea Island, Ga. this week — a favorite event for many Tour players for good reason, as nearly two dozen of them call Sea Island home.
Though Charles Howell III lives in Orlando, he has a secondary residence on St. Simon’s Island, so he is technically one of those home field players — and he just happens to hold a two shot lead.
Here’s what else you missed from the RSM Classic, which is played on two tracks: Sea Island GC’s Seaside and Plantation courses.
Charles Howell III played a flawless round
Eight birdies and zero bogeys on the Plantation course led to a sparkling 64, two shots clear of Howell III’s nearest competitors, J.J. Spaun and defending champion Austin Cook.
8 birdies, no bogeys = first-round lead.
Charles Howell III is two clear of the field at @TheRSMClassic.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/ooIrgciSuc
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 15, 2018
The 39-year-old Howell III is a Tour veteran. Though he only has two victories on his resume, his consistent performances over the years have paid off. He’s currently 21st on the Tour’s career money list, with over $35 million in earnings.
If Howell III can hang in throughout the weekend, it will be hist first Tour victory since the 2007 Nissan Open.
Webb Simpson put on a short game clinic
Simpson showed just how much grinding your way around the golf course can pay off. The reigning Players Champ was 5/5 in scrambling on Thursday, and his bogey-free performance — coupled with two birdies — kept him in the mix on the leaderboard at T30, six shots back on Howell III’s lead.
5/5 in scrambling.@webbsimpson1 is grinding on Thursday at @TheRSMClassic.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/672bXnPs9R
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 15, 2018
Cameron Champ is lurking
A bogey on the 9th and a double bogey on the 10th hole derailed what could have been a special round for Cameron Champ. The Tour rookie has already had an impressive debut, with a win and three other Top 28 finishes in four total events.
Despite the setback holes, Champ rallied with a four-hole stretch of birdie-birdie-birdie-eagle. Now that’s what we call a rebound!
????@Cameron__Champ battles back from a double-bogey on the opening hole.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/LWHU6wmcvp
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 15, 2018
