The RSM Classic may close the fall portion of the PGA Tour season, but it’s far from a soft landing. Sea Island Resort in Georgia turns into a pressure cooker for players looking to secure points, status, and momentum heading into 2026. While the course is scoreable, it’s also deceptive–short yardage, tight targets, coastal winds, and greens that punish hesitation.
For bettors and DFS players, this event often separates those who understand Sea Island’s profile from those chasing big names. This isn’t about bombers. It’s about rhythm players, sharp approach work, and guys who can get red-hot with the putter when the chances come.
That’s where the early picks start to take shape, and why the value names stand out even more.
Why Austin Eckroat Fits Sea Island
Austin Eckroat isn’t the headline star going in, but he’s one of the most logical picks when you strip the hype away and focus strictly on numbers. According to Lineups, Eckroat grades out strongly in all the areas that matter most at Sea Island: iron control, short-course performance, coastal scoring, and consistency in the 100-175 yard range.
He also carries legitimate course history–two previous RSM appearances, both inside the top 20. Not many in the field can say that. His game clearly travels well to Sea Island’s layout: fairway-first mentality, strong wedge/short-iron game, and the ability to go low when conditions soften.
The Stats That Matter, and Who Matches Them
Sea Island demands a specific skill profile. You want players who excel in:
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SG: Approach (the most predictive stat at this event)
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Proximity from 100–175 yards
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Birdies Gained on shorter layouts
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Comfort on the coast
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Control in moderate wind
10 players were identified who best match the course’s demands, and they form the “core pool” for value picks and outright betting. That list includes:
- Matt Kuchar, Taylor Montgomery, Mac Meissner, Nico Echavarria, Patrick Rodgers, Victor Perez, Mark Hubbard, Austin Eckroat, Lanto Griffin, Seamus Power, and Patton Kizzire
These aren’t random sleepers; they’re players whose games align perfectly with what Sea Island asks for. If you’re betting, you’d rather follow the profile than the name. At this course, that angle pays.
Why Pierceson Coody Could Break Through Now
Golf Digest highlights Coody as one of the most intriguing picks this week, noting that “he can drive and putt consistently at a high level while everything in between is a crap-shoot.” That kind of description might sound cautious, but it’s also exactly the sort of profile that Sea Island rewards. When everything else fluctuates, you want someone who’s solid in two major pillars and capable of riding them to a low weekend score.
Especially at a venue that offers scoring opportunities for players who can navigate the short yardage, approach shots and green speeds, Coody leads the PGA Tour in that metric, coming in at approximately 25.93% for the season.
Beyond pure stats, there’s context. Coody enters the field on the fringe of status (he sits at No. 107 in the FedExCup fall standings per one early preview). That means he has an extra reason to go low–not just to win, but to secure his future.
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