– Last Updated on November 20, 2022 10:10 pm
2016 PGA RSM Classic Preview and Picks
Ready to bet this week on the 2016 RSM Classic Odds? The PGA pros will tee it up once again on American soil – one week after heading to Mexico. A slightly watered-down field will take to two courses that make up this week’s event – Seaside Course in Georgia – a par 70 track that measures 7,055 yards and the Plantation course that measures 7,058 yards and plays as a par 72.
2016 RSM Classic
When: November 14 – November 20, 2016
Where: Sea Island Resort, Georgia (Seaside)
Defending Champion: Robert Streb
Purse: $5,700,000
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
2016 RSM Classic Handicapping
Weather will always be a factor at Sea Island – strong winds are a reality although sunny skies are forecast for this week. In the past this event has been all about putting – those with a hot flatstick are often in contention on Sunday.
Driving distance on these relatively short tracks likely won’t be an issue – accuracy and hitting greens will be the more important aspects of a players’ game for which I focused on.
Seaside and Plantation ranked inside the top-six easiest in both fairways hit and greens in regulation – expect the winner here to go low!
So with all of that in mind who should we be keening an extra eye on this week?
Let’s break it down.
2016 RSM Classic Favorites:
Chris Kirk +1400
Georgia product returns to arguably his favorite track this week – he won this event in 2013, had a T4 in 2014 and a T18 in 2015.
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He has been very good early in the season – three top 10s including a T7 at Mayakoba. Kirk has a terrific all around game that obviously suits this course and because of that is the obvious favorite.
Brandt Snedeker +1800
Arguably the biggest name in this tournament actually missed the cut here last year but followed that with perhaps his best year on TOUR including two wins.
He is very good with the flat stick which is essential here and he enters on the heels of consecutive top 25s including a win in Fiji. If Sneds heats up there is nobody better in the field – you have to like his chances for a good finish this week.
Matt Kuchar +1800
Is the other BIG name in the field. He is a resident of Sea Island and has played very well in this event in the past – top 25s in each of his five appearances – a T7 in 2013 being his best result.
He enters off a T25 at the recent WGC-HSBC Champions and is another guy that will be awfully tough to contend with if he gets his putter rolling.
2016 RSM Classic Contenders:
Kevin Chappell +2000
Hasn’t been all that great in his last two starts overall – ties for 35th and 45th in his first two starts on the new season but his course history here has him on the radar.
Chappell has made the cut all four times he’s played here with a T8 two years ago and a solo second last year (although it was four shots back). He is an elite ball striker with a very good putter who should contend this week.
Bill Haas +2500
Will tee it up for the first time since a T4 at the WGC-HSBC Champions which followed a T20 at Silverado – he’s quietly Hot entering this week. He has played this track three times with OK results – a runner-up in 2010, a T22 in 2014 and a T33 last year.
Haas has been playing well and could be due against a watered down field.
Russell Henley +2500
Georgia Bulldog has been a factor all three times he’s played here with a T4 in 2014 and a T6 last year.
His putter has been a major benefit in the past and likely will be again – he has finished inside the top 25 in his last two events played overall and is expected to be in the mix this week.
Charles Howell III +3300
Has been very good since his return from surgery – back-to-back top 15s at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.
He seems to always be a fixture in my mind at this time of the year but the numbers just don’t lie – he is always good in the fall/winter. Howell III has three top 10s in this event including a T9 last year and should be good for another quality finish this year.
Lucas Glover +3300
Sea Island resident has been playing his best golf in quite some time ahead of this weekend. He was T5 in Mississippi and recorded a solo third in Vegas.
He was T9 here last year – his second top 25 in this event so we know he loves this track. His putter is sometimes an Achilles Heel however – something to keep in mind.
2016 RSM Classic Sleepers (+5000 or higher):
Cody Gribble +5000
The Sanderson Farms winner has been fantastic out of the gates – he has been on top of his game for quite some time and could provide his backers with a very nice payday this week.
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Brian Harman +8000
Another local guy has posted some good results here – a T10 in 2013 being the best. Harman’s strength is putting which puts him on the radar this week.
He may not be the most recognizable name on TOUR but his game and knowledge of the conditions should give his a leg up this week.
Stewart Cink +10000
The crafty vet Cink has finished inside the top 15 in his last two events played. Forget about the fact that he has yet to register a top 30 on this track – Cink is too good and too experienced to let that bring him down.
2016 RSM Classic Picks:
I like Brandt Snedeker at +1800 this week. Good current form and a terrific putter erase the memory of a missed cut on this track last year.
My sleeper is Brian Harman at +8000. My theme seems to be great putting – Harman fits that category!
Golf handicapper DAVE B weighs in each week with his top selections. Including top picks and sleepers!
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