RSM Classic Preview

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

KEVIN KISNER joined a long list of first-time early-season winners last year when he won the RSM Classic, finally turning a series of top-10 finishes into a much deserved and long awaited victory.

Most pundits believed it would see him kick on, but the success had the opposite effect. At one stage, he looked like a shoo-in for the Ryder Cup team but, in the end, his name didn't feature in either the automatic spots or in conversations about Davis Love's four wild cards. It was a huge disappointment for Kisner, a man who became a Mr Grumpy as he struggled to recapture his best form. These things happen - a player spends months or years chasing a maiden win and when it finally arrives there is a sense of anti-climax. 

Chasing the dream is what kept you going all that time but then it comes true, you bank a cheque for $1m-plus, and the hunger, the desire is not what it was. Nobody is suggesting for one moment that this is what has happened to Kisner. On the contrary, he now seems to be trying too hard. Maybe the time has come for him to think about what got him into the winner's circle in the first place and tap into those emotions once again.

Returning to the scene of that victory will surely fill him with good, positive thoughts. Let's hope so.

Formerly known as the McGladrey Classic, it was won in 2010 by Heath Slocum, in 2011 by Ben Crane, Tommy Gainey in 2012, Chris Kirk in 2013, and in 2014 by Robert Streb. The tournament is played at Sea Island, a 7,055-yard links-style course in Georgia. Like many of the early-season tournaments, the course is suited to shotmakers and produces some stunningly low scores. Kisner's winning total was 260 and featured a final round of 60.

Keep you eye on Kevin Chappell this time around. Like Kisner 12 months ago, he comes into the tournament looking for a first victory. Like Kisner, he has accumulated a bucketful of top 10 finishes. Last season he was second four times and third once. The 30-year-old has served his apprenticeship, has come close often enough to know he has the game to win and knows he must do so soon if he is to fulfil his potential. Chappell does not hit the ball a long way, but he is an accurate driver and every other part of his game is solid. 

The thing to note about Chappell is that he has contended in some big tournaments so clearly also has the right temperament. But the worrying thing for him is that he has failed to close the deal. This would be a good week to put that right.

Graeme McDowell was enjoying a brief purple patch 12 months ago and finished second after having won the previous week. The Northern Irishman loves this course and is starting the new PGA Tour season determined to climb the world rankings again. For the former US Open champion, confidence is everything and there have been a few encouraging signs that his best game is not terribly far away. he will have drawn some inspiration from the return to the winner's circle of Padraig Harrington.

Matt Kuchar is another man who hasn't won the tournaments that his talent deserves. There have been suggestions in some quarters that he has become comfortable piling up top-10 finishes and banking tens of millions of dollars. He has played in 378 tournaments, winning seven times. He has finished runner-up nine times, third on 12 occasions and a staggering 85 top-10 finishes.  Since 2010 he has not missed more than two cuts in any season, and in 2013 he played all four rounds in all 23 events in which he competed. He turned pro in 2000 and during the subsequent 16 years has won $37,793,391, which puts him in 13th place in the all-time career earnings list.

Kuchar is one of golf's nice guys, somebody who plays the game with a smile on his face, but that is not to be confused with somebody who doesn't possess a ferocious will to win. He tries to win every time he tees the ball up and you can be sure he will be there or thereabouts in Georgia.

To Win: Kevin Chappell. Long overdue

Each Way: Kevin Kisner. Hopefully, will be inspired by return to Sea Island

Each Way: Matt Kuchar. Mr Top 10

Fantasy Picks:

Kevin Chappell. Too good not to win - and soon

Kevin Kisner. Must remember what got him here in the first place

Matt Kuchar. Another week, another big payday

Graeme McDowell. Course is made for him

Chris Kirk. Playing well, putting well

Zach Johnson. Short hitter, huge heart

Jim Furyk. Still doing it for the old guys

Brandt Snedeker. Back to his best now

Harris English. A player who should win far more than he does

Lucas Glover. Good form of late