“I almost passed out a little bit. It was heartbreaking, but at the same time it was a long day,” said RSM Classic director Cole Hammer; Fellow American Ben Griffin is also tied for second on seven, while England’s Callum Tarren is tied for third on six.
Last Updated: 17/11/22 11:37pm
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Webb Simpson made an ace on the third hole in the first round of The RSM Classic in Georgia.
Webb Simpson made an ace on the third hole in the first round of The RSM Classic in Georgia.
Cole Hammer piled up nine birdies en route to an 8-under 64 that gave him the lead at The RSM Classic in Georgia.
Hammer played his first tournament at Sea Island Golf Club’s Plantation Course and started on the back nine. He birdied nine of the 16 holes to reach the ninth before a bogey on the eighth hole.
It was enough of a one-shot advantage over American Ben Griffin, who took second with a seven-under 65.
“I mean, I was almost a little disappointed,” Hammer said of his career low. “It went by in a heartbeat, but at the same time it was a long day.”
After starting with four birdies on the back nine, Hammer added birdies on holes 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7.
“I almost made a birdie putt on 18, my ninth hole today, to go five under. And then I hit my best drive of the day on No. 1, my 10th hole, and that swing gave me confidence,” Hammer said.
Cole Hammer leads The RSM Classic after the first round
“I hit the mill like two feet and knocked it in. Then I made a 15-footer on the next hole for birdie, which was a total bonus.”
The players are playing one of two rounds starting on the par-72 Plantation Course and the other on the par-70 Seaside Course before the 36 holes are cut. Saturday and Sunday will see the players return to the Seaside Course.
Griffin shot a bogey-free card with seven birdies on the Plantation Course. He lives in the town and is well versed in local education.
“It’s an easy ride. I would have walked,” Griffin said. “A few stoplights set me back this morning.”
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Beau Hossler and Englishman Callum Tarren shot the lowest rounds of the day at Sea Lake at six-under 64. They are tied for third with Justin Suh, who had a six-under 66 on the Plantation Course.
Eleven players are tied for five under, including Webb Simpson, who had a hole-in-one on three pars on the Plantation Course during his 67.
“My target was about 15 feet from the hole there, so I pulled it, but I hit it to the point where I knew it was going to hit the fairway,” Simpson said. “And I love my hybrids.”
Watch The RSM Classic all week on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues on Friday with the Featured Teams from 2.15pm on Sky Sports Golf, before full coverage from 6pm.
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