After 70 starts and a trip back to the Korn Ferry Tour, Adam Svensson is officially a winner on the PGA Tour. Emerging from a crowded leaderboard at the 2022 RSM Classic, the Canadian staked his claim on the final event of the calendar year with a flawless final round of 6-under 64 to get the better of Sahith Theegala, Brian Harman and Callum Tarren by two strokes.

“It’s not even real right now. I’m just so happy. I’ve just put so much work in and to win on the PGA Tour means everything to me,” Svensson said while attempting to hold back tears. “It’s been an up-and-down journey. I’ve had lows, I’ve had highs, but I just kept believing in myself and here I am.”

Svensson was one of many players to hold a share of the lead Sunday at Sea Island as a total of 16 players entered the final day within three strokes of the lead. Making just one birdie in his opening seven holes, it wasn’t until the middle of his round when the 28-year-old began to heat up in the chilly Georgia weather.

Adding three birdies in a four-hole stretch from holes Nos. 8-11, Svensson reached 17 under and matched the clubhouse lead set by Tarren. Unable to take advantage of the gettable par-5 15th, Svensson quickly made amends with back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 to separate himself from Theegala and Harman who were surging in the group ahead.

“I just tried to make no bogeys today. I didn’t even look at the scoreboard until 16. I just said if I make no bogeys, I am putting well, so that’s kind of what I did,” said Svensson. “I was actually feeling pretty good over them [the birdie putts on Nos. 16 and 17]. The one on 17 I didn’t think was going to go in and somehow the golf gods let in.”

Finishing the tournament at 19 under, Svensson utilized a red hot weekend performance to claim his first title on the PGA Tour. Carding 13 birdies and an eagle against just one bogey over his final 36 holes, the 28-year-old will now reap the benefits that come with a trip to the winner’s circle.

Ascending to sixth in the FedEx Cup standings, Svensson will also receive invitations into the Tournament of Champions, Players Championship, Masters and PGA Championship. For a player yet to compete in a major championship, simply put, this triumph is career changing.

“Two years ago I made a decision to give it 100%,” Svensson said. “There was no going back, I was quitting because I was going the wrong way. I’d say it was a good choice.” Grade: A+

Here is a breakdown of the rest of the leaderboard at the 2022 RSM Classic

T2. Sahith Theegala (-17): It was all setting up for Theegala’s breakthrough as he was a member of the penultimate group and thus avoided the final round pressure of bringing up the rear. Getting off to a solid start, the 24-year-old will look back to a double bogey on the par-5 seventh as his eventual downfall. Fighting back with four birdies on his back nine, Theegala shared the lead at one point before ultimately falling two strokes short of Svensson. Grade: A

T5. Cole Hammer (-15): The former standout at Texas had a rough start to his professional career. Narrowly missing out on conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour, Hammer was playing with house money this week as he gained entry into the tournament through a sponsor’s exemption. He took full advantage of the opportunity and collected the first of what should be many top-10 finishes. For his efforts, Hammer will have a place to play to begin next year as he is now firmly in the field for the Sony Open. 

“Pretty darn content with what happened out there,” Hammer said. “Yesterday I had a tough start, but fought back. Missed a few putts coming down the stretch, but gave myself a chance. Was only four back going into today, the leaderboard was jam packed and knew a good round would go a long way in some tough conditions. I’m just so proud of the way that I fought and battled out there. It gives me a lot of confidence moving forward and leaves a great taste in my mouth going to the offseason.” Grade: A

T5. Joel Dahmen (-15): The 2022-23 season marks the final campaign Dahmen will be fully exempt on the PGA Tour for his victory at the 2021 Corales Championship. With added motivation and pressure to play well, Dahmen did just that throughout the entirety of the swing season. With his T5 result at the RSM Classic, he ended his fall with three straight top-10 finishes and inside the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings.

“I was already in a pretty good position, I was way ahead of the game, I guess, but to gather more points today was huge,” Dahmen said. “You never want to take weeks off because you always feel like you’re falling behind, but with the good finish today it will be easier to take time off.” Grade: A

T5. Seamus Power (-15): It is not Rory McIlroy, but rather Power who will enter 2023 atop the FedEx Cup standings. Winning the Bermuda Championship and adding close calls at Mayakoba and now Sea Island, the Irishman put himself squarely on the radar of captain Luke Donald for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome while rising to the top of the PGA Tour season-long race. Impressive as it may be, moving forward it will be interesting to see if Power can begin to contend in elevated events where the competition is much steeper. Grade: A-

Source link

The final round of the final event of the 2022 calendar year is set up to be a doozy. With a crowded leaderboard exiting Round 3 at the 2022 RSM Classic, it is Patrick Rodgers and Ben Martin who will be tasked with successfully converting a 54-hole lead as the pair enters Sunday in possession of a slim margin at 14 under. 

With one career victory between the two of them — Martin won the 2014 Shriners Children’s Open — nothing will be handed to them. Martin entered this week at Sea Island simply hoping to find some form since the fall swing has largely been unkind to the former Clemson Tiger. Missing three of six cuts and failing to collect a single top-40 result, Martin has relied on the good vibes and familiarity with the property to turn his game around.

Rodgers, on the other hand, has been trending towards this very moment coming off of five straight top-30 finishes. With one of those finishes coming in the form of a T3 at the Bermuda Championship, Sunday will represent yet another opportunity for the 30-year-old to snatch his long-awaited first career victory on the PGA Tour.

Rodgers will not be alone in hoping to enter the winner’s circle for the first time. Twelve non-winners, including Sahith Theegala, Taylor Pendrith and Harry Higgs, will go into the final round within three strokes of the lead. With so much on the line and so much inexperience in contention, the final round of the 2022 RSM Classic has the potential to be the most memorable one of the young 2022-23 season.

The leaders

T1. Patrick Rodgers, Ben Martin (-14)

He was a standout at Stanford and contended plenty over his PGA Tour career, but Rodgers remains without a win. Slowly but surely, he’s gained more experience by playing himself into contention on Sundays. Will this finally be his time? 

Rodgers ranks second in strokes gained approach and sixth in strokes gained putting in two rounds on the Seaside Course. If he’s able to continue operating in such a capacity in the final round, it is conceivable he will finally raise a trophy on the PGA Tour.

Other contenders

T3. Andrew Putnam, Adam Svensson, Sahith Theegala (-13)

T6. Brian Harman, Taylor Pendrith, Taylor Montgomery, Alex Smalley, Kevin Streelman, Beau Hossler, Harry Higgs (-12)

T13. Ben Taylor, Seamus Power, Callum Tarren, Will Gordon, Harry Higgs (-11)

A total of 16 players will enter the final round within three strokes of the lead, making it anyone’s tournament to win. There is plenty on the line, including 500 FedEx Cup points, exemptions through the 2025 season and entry into major championships. 

Canadian Adam Svensson made the most of his Moving Day in Round 3 by signing for an 8-under 62. Without a major championship start on his résumé, the 28-year-old will be featured in the final grouping on Sunday with a chance to change that and capture his first victory on the PGA Tour.

“I knew I was playing well, I just kept plugging along,” said Svensson. “I knew one bogey, it’s all good, I’m going to make some birdies. But yeah, my game’s feeling really good and I just kept hitting it by the pin and if they don’t go in, they don’t go in, and making some putts.”

Can the Sea Island mafia finally break through?

A large contingent of Sea Island residents teed it up this week, including Harris English, J.T. Poston and Keith Mitchell. Without much group success in their home event, fellow locals Brian Harman and Will Gordon will pose as Sea Island’s best chance to break this hometown dry spell on Sunday.

“You know, they say a local’s never won here, but I mean, [Kevin] Kisner spends all kinds of time here. [Chris] Kirk lived here for seven or eight years,” said Harman. “I don’t think about it too much. There’s a lot of talent on this island and one of us is going to win this tournament sooner or later.”

2022 RSM Classic updated odds and picks

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

• Patrick Rodgers: 5-1
• Sahith Theegala: 7-1
• Andrew Putnam: 7-1
• Ben Martin: 9-1
• Brian Harman: 10-1
• Taylor Montgomery: 11-1
• Adam Svensson: 12-1
• Taylor Pendrith: 16-1
• Alex Smalley: 18-1
• Beau Hossler: 22-1
• Kevin Streelman: 25-1
• Seamus Power: 28-1
• Will Gordon: 35-1
• Harry Higgs: 35-1
• Callum Tarren: 60-1
• Ben Taylor: 65-1

All of those listed above are within three strokes of the lead and could realistically win the 2022 RSM Classic. Despite the wide-open nature of the event, it is still Putnam with whom we will rock. The 33-year-old hardly had his best stuff on Saturday, yet was still able to sign for an under-par round and keep himself in this tournament. Putnam will be a part of the penultimate group, and given his consistent well-rounded game throughout the fall should be more than comfortable in this setting.

Source link

Your golf game is a worthy investment. But, when you travel with your clubs, you’re risking damage not only to the sticks but to your wallet. So, pack your bag properly to ensure your clubs stay intact during golf bag shipping.

How to Pack Your Golf Clubs for Shipping

Keep Your Club Covers On

Start packing by keeping your club covers on. Your headcovers will help prevent your clubs from any potential nicks and dents that can occur during transit if left unprotected. This will offer you peace of mind knowing your clubs will arrive safe, leaving for an easy unpack upon arrival.

Bundle Your Clubs

The most delicate part of a club is right where your shaft meets the clubhead. When it stands alone in your travel case, your clubs become more prone to snapping at that point. However, by bundling them together,  the odds of them staying strong are greater. So, simply collect your irons and wrap them in a towel to keep them consolidated.

Use Extra Padding

There’s no such thing as too much padding when it comes to protecting your clubs. Use bubble wrap or extra golf clothing to provide additional padding during shipping. These items can be used to wrap your clubs securely within your bag or around your bag as it sits in the box.

Add A Stiff Arm

At the right angle and force, an unexpected impact can cause a lot of damage to your golf clubs. Pack your golf clubs safer than ever before when you add a stiff arm to your bag. A stiff arm is a travel club protector that will stick down your golf bag, act as the tallest point, and absorb unwanted impact during travel. If you don’t want to purchase and pack a stiff arm, try using a broomstick instead.

Are You in Need of Convenient and Reliable Golf Bag Shipping?

Now that you know how to pack your golf clubs for shipping, it’s time to send them to the first tee. Ship Sticks guarantees a reliable alternative to wherever your next golf destination may be. If you need a convenient transportation method for your clubs, our services can make your travels a breeze. So, create an account, pack your clubs, and start shipping today!

Source link