ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an 8-under 64, taking his first lead after a round. Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had more reason to celebrate Friday at the RSM Classic.
Dahmen made a 5-foot par putt on his final hole for a 2-under 68 in difficult conditions caused by wind and cold, allowing him to match the number and add two more days to spare have to secure his PGA Tour card next year. He is No. 124 in the FedEx Cup.
“I definitely have more to write this weekend,” said Dahmen, who recently said his story isn’t over yet. “But without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story this year would be much shorter.”
Fishburn took advantage of being on the easier Plantation course, with trees blocking the brunt of the wind and two additional par 5s. He was also joined by Maverick McNealy, who scored a 62 on the more difficult Seaside course opened, made two bogeys late in his round and had to settle for a 70.
Fishburn, who has already had his card suspended for next year, was at 11-under 131 and led McNealy and Lee Hodges (63) entering the weekend. Michael Thorbjornsen had a 69 and was the only player facing Seaside on Friday to finish in the top five.
What mattered that day, however, was far down the leaderboard.
The RSM Classic is the final tournament of the PGA Tour season and only the top 125 in the FedEx Cup have full status in 2025. This is more important than ever as the Tour only receives the top 100 for full tickets after next season. Players like Dahmen need full status to get as many playing opportunities as possible.
That explains why he felt so much pressure on a Friday. He made no bogey after his opening hole and battled temperatures in the low 50s, which felt even colder as the wind blew off the Atlantic waters of St. Simons Sound. He made a game-winning birdie on the 14th and hit his second shot on the 424-yard hole with the 4-iron.
Dahmen also hit a 2-foot wedge on the 16th that put him on the cut line, and from the 18th fairway he was safe on the green about 40 feet away. But he was woefully underperforming, leaving his job at stake.
“It was a great putt. I was very nervous,” said Dahmen. “But there is still a lot to do. It wasn't the winning goal, it was something like the half-court shot that got us to halftime. But without that and the way I played today, I wouldn't have achieved anything this weekend.”
His playing partners weren't so lucky. The tour put three in danger of losing their cards in the same group – Zac Blair (No. 123), Dahmen and Wesley Bryan (No. 125).
The cut was 1-under 141. Blair and Bryan came to the 18th hole needing a birdie to ensure they made the cut, and both narrowly missed it. Now they have to wait and see if anyone passes them, which is usually the case.
Thorbjornsen was expected to break into the top 125 in a tie for fourth place and Daniel Berger (66 at Plantation) in a tie for 17th. Dahmen actually still has a lot of work to do.
Fishburn has a weekend to see if he can end his rookie year with a win.
“Growing up in Utah, I had a lot of experience playing in the cold. “I’ve gotten used to playing this time of year when your body doesn’t move very well and you have to move your hands,” Fishburn said. who played college golf at BYU. “Just pretty happy with the way I was playing.”
Ludvig Aberg, the defending champion and No. 5 player in the world, playing for the first time in more than two months because of knee surgery, rebounded with a 64 on Plantation to get back in the game.
Aberg played with Florida State sophomore Luke Clanton, who looks like he belongs every week. Clanton, the No. 1 player in the world amateur rankings who received a sponsor's exemption, shot a 65 at Plantation and was two shots off the lead.
Clanton already has a second-place finish and two other top-10 finishes since June.
“He’s pretty awesome to play with,” Clanton said. “We fanboyed a little bit. I know he’s a really good guy, but playing with him and seeing what he’s done over the last few years is pretty inspiring.”
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