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The RSM Classic Preview, Picks, Analysis

By: Golf Shake | Mon 16 Nov 2015


Weekly Tour Preview from Sports Writer Derek Clements


Another week, another first-time winner? You would bet your bottom dollar on it.

The PGA Tour has proved this season that dreams really can come true, with one maiden winner after another. This week the tour heads to Sea Island in Georgia for the RSM McGladrey Classic - 12 months ago, Robert Streb enjoyed his first victory in this tournament, so you have to say that odds don't really favour any of the established names on tour.

So where do we begin to try to unravel the plot?

Kevin Kisner is a very good place to start. His runner-up finish to Russell Knox at the recent WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai was his fourth of the season. And at this very tournament on this very course 12 months ago, he fell just two shots shy of making a playoff that featured Streb, Will Mackenzie and Brendon de Jonge.

Kisner really should have secured his first win by now. Nobody has come closer. His three runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour in 2015 all involved playoffs. He lost the Greenbrier Classic to David Hearn, the RBC Heritage to Jim Furyk and the Players Championship to Rickie Fowler (Sergio Garcia was also involved in the playoff).

Kisner, 31, has proved with his play at the WGC-HSBC and Players Championship that he is a big-time player. He has few weaknesses, hitting most fairways from the tee (from where he is sneaky long). He is a superb long-iron player and is one of the best wedge players on tour. He also has a happy knack of holing unlikely putts. It is just such a shame that he really doesn't look like he enjoys the game very much. When you watch him play it is impossible not to bring to mind Jason Dufner. From his demeanour, you would never know whether Kisner is shooting a 60 or an 80.

There are many who feel that if he were to show a little more emotion then he would be an even better player. Whether you buy into this or not, there can be little doubt that Kisner's first win is just around the corner. One of his closest friends on tour is Chris Kirk (the two went to university together), and while Kirk is a proven winner, he could be a decent bet to buck the first-time winners trend this season.

Like Kisner, he also played really well in last year's tournament and is a big fan of East Lake. Lots of tournament players have favourite courses at which they can draw upon good memories of past performances, and Kirk certainly feels that way about this venue.

Speaking of those first-time winners, De Jonge is another who is long overdue. Last season was his best on tour, the year where he finally established himself. But, like Kisner, he has so far been unable to get over the finishing line. I have a feeling in my water that the big Zimbabwean is going to break his duck during the 2015-16 wraparound season. And what time to do so than just before the tour goes into winter hibernation for a few short weeks? And where better to do so than at the same venue where he came so very close just 12 months ago?

De Jonge is a hugely underrated golfer who just happens to be a brilliant ball striker. He is a streaky player, but if he can get the short stick working at East Lake he will be very hard to beat.

But the man who truly fits the bill is the wonderfully-named Bronson Burgoon. The young man graduated from the Web.com Tour, which means that he can play, and he already has two top-25 finishes to his credit this season. Or you could take a long, serious look at another rookie, Patton Kizzire, who finished top of the pile on last season's Web.com Tour.

If you really can't bear to put your money on another rookie, it might be worth your while investing a few shillings on Matt Kuchar, who is another who loves this course, and is one of the straightest hitters on tour.

The RSM Classic Tips

To win: Kevin Kisner. Long overdue

Each way: Matt Kuchar. Course suits his game

Each way: Brendon de Jonge. Will win sooner or later

The RSM Classic Fantasy Picks

Kevin Kisner. He can't keep finishing second

Matt Kuchar. Mr Consistency

Brendon de Jonge. This could be his week

Charles Howell III. Showing good form

Patton Kizzire. Top-quality Web.com graduate

Kyle Stanley. Underrated player

Bronson Burgoon. Would make a great pairing with Smylie Kaufman

Russell Henley. Gutsy performer

Jason Dufner. Wouldn't it be nice to see him smile again?

Chris Kirk. Has come close here in the past


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Tags: PGA Tour



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