Novak has had three months without competition during the Tour Championship, the highlight of a breakthrough year. His wife gave birth to their first child two weeks ago. And then he edged Stanford alumni Michael Thorbjornsen and Patrick Rodgers 61-65.
But the real focus was well below the leaderboard, on the cutting line, so crucial in the final event, where players had to be among the top 100 of the FedExCup to retain full status for next year.
Beau Hossler is ranked number 103 and making the cut was his only hope. He hit a hard chip to birdie the par-5 eighth at the Plantation, then went up and down from a bunker on his final hole at No. 9 for a 67 to make the cut.
His work isn’t done yet, but at least he has a chance. Conditions were so calm that the cut dropped to 7-under 135.
“Kind of tough, to be honest, this week it’s just going to be an absolute shootout – no wind, the greens are very receptive, hardly any rough. So just knowing it’s more or less just going to be a wedge-and-putting match,” Hossler said.
Among those who missed the cut were former Open champion Brian Harman and Sahith Theegala.
Joel Dahmen, who narrowly retained his card at Sea Island last year, missed the cut and will lose his entire card for next year when the PGA Tour returns the exempt cards to the top 100 instead of the top 125.
Takumi Kanaya also missed the cut, which could make him even more nostalgic about the past week. He had a four-foot par putt as a raging wind affected him in Bermuda. Had he made it, his tie for second place would have risen to No. 83 in the FedExCup. He missed out and only rose to number 99, and now he has to hope no one passes him this weekend.
Novak was unaware of this. He shot a 61 at Seaside in the opening round and followed that with a 65 to reach 16 under 126. His only complaint was losing a chance to create some separation by making bogeys on two of the last three holes.
Still, his place on the PGA Tour for next year is set. And now that he’s reached the Tour Championship, he’s also competing in all the majors and $20 million events. All around him were players trying to keep their cards.
“That’s such an advantage this week,” Novak said. “I had a baby two weeks ago, I just left home and I’m happy to be here and other guys are fighting for their jobs. It bothers me a little less. I definitely want to win. It’s a local tournament, so there is extra motivation for me to play well here.”
“But some guys have their whole year to deal with this week.”
Thorbjornsen had a 63 at Seaside and Rodgers had a 62 at Plantation. One shot behind were Sami Valimaki and Greyson Sigg, each with a 62 – Valimaki at Season, Sigg at Plantation.
Johnny Keefer, the Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year who received a sponsor exemption, had a 64 at Seaside and was three shots behind. A top 5 finish might be enough for Keefer – world number 50 – to secure a Masters invitation via the world rankings.
#Andrew #Novak #leads #RSM #Classic #rounds #remaining #PGA #Tour #season