Maverick McNealy and Michael Thorbjornsen are tied for the lead after one round of The RSM Classic on Thursday in St. Simons Island, Ga.
At the finale of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Fall series, the field is playing Sea Island Golf Club's two courses over the first two days of the tournament. McNealy began the week at the par-70 Seaside Course and fired an 8-under-par 62, with one eagle, six birdies and no bogeys on his card.
Thorbjornsen, meanwhile, shot a bogey-free, 8-under 64 at the par-72 Plantation Course. They will switch courses on Friday before everyone who makes the cut plays the Seaside Course on Saturday and Sunday.
Leaderboard after Round 1 @TheRSMClassic 🏌️♂️
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 21, 2024
T1. Maverick McNealy (-8)
T1. Michael Thorbjornsen
3. Andrew Novak (-7)
T4. Adrien Dumont de Chassart (-6)
T4. Chandler Phillips
T6. Seven players tied at -5
McNealy and Thorbjornsen are one shot ahead of Andrew Novak, who posted a 7-under 65 at the Plantation Course.
PGA Tour rookie Adrien Dumont de Chassart of Belgium recorded a career-low 64 at the Seaside Course to get his week going, and he's in a tie for fourth at 6 under with Chandler Phillips (66, Plantation).
It's the final opportunity for Dumont de Chassart to climb into the top 125 of the FedEx Cup Fall points standings in order to earn a full PGA Tour card for 2025. As it stands after Thursday, he would jump from No 142 to No 124 in the standings. Thorbjornsen can benefit this week, as well; he'd rocket from No 138 to No 77 in points if the tournament ended today.
Swedish star Ludvig Aberg, the defending champion, struggled to a 3-over 73 at the Seaside Course and is on track to miss Friday's cut.