ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — It’s often said a good offense is the best defense. And as the 2024 PGA Tour season winds down to its final few days, there’s still plenty of the line for those taking part in the RSM Classic at Sea Island Golf Club, many of whom are playing offense.
Some are fighting to get inside the top 125 of the FedEx Cup Fall standings, meaning they’ll keep a full Tour card and get eligibility into all full-field events in 2025. And some are working to crack the top 60, or Aon Next 10 since the original 50 is set, which means a chance to play in the first two lucrative signature events of next year.
Patrick Rodgers is one of the lucky few at this island paradise who knows he’s into another full season next year, sitting at No. 52 in the standings. The veteran pro simply needs to play defense to hold down a spot in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational.
RSM Classic: Leaderboard | Photos
But rather than play passively and worry about where things might shake out, Rodgers went on the offensive on Thursday while playing his opening round on the Seaside course. After starting his day with six straight pars, Rodgers ripped off a trio of birdies on Nos. 7, 8 and 9 to make the turn in 32. He added three more birdies on the back, with just a single bogey on No. 13, and got back to the clubhouse at 5 under, near the top of the early-wave leaders. He hit every green in regulation en route to a 65, donning a knit hat on a chilly, windy morning.
He was justifiably happy with his effort.
“I played really well today. I controlled my golf ball brilliantly. I hit every green in regulation, which is pretty rare on any round on the Tour, especially at a pretty blustery day,” he said. “Just really proud of my ball control, proud of my discipline and gave myself a lot of chances to score.”
Since Rodgers finished last season inside the top 50, meaning he was eligible for all the signature events, he was eager to get back into at least the first two events, which have no cut.
“The fall has been important in trying to secure that Next 10. Obviously, the top 50 has become a really big number and it was a bummer to miss that after playing all the signature events this year. But I felt like my game was in a good place,” he said. “I wanted to continue to progress with what I was working on, so happy to have the opportunity to play all fall. And I’m looking to win golf tournaments, that’s the next step for me and this week would be a great one to get it done.”
Of course, while Rodgers has been known as a consummate pro since he first earned his Tour card in 2014, he’s yet to get into the winner’s circle, making him one of the most accomplished players currently on Tour without a victory.
One of his best chances to win came at the 2018 RSM Classic when he got hot on the weekend with rounds of 61 and 62, then a record for the lowest closing 36-hole score in PGA Tour history, to force a playoff with Charles Howell III.
At the time, Howell was 39 years old and had suffered a long winning drought. Howell’s knees gave way as he watched his birdie putt roll true on the second playoff hole to beat Rodgers and win for the first time since the 2007 Nissan Open.
And while that experience marked one of four times Rodgers finished as a runner-up on Tour, it also showed how well he plays at this event hosted by Davis Love III.
While others might check out at season’s end, Rodgers seems to keep his focus until the final event is through. He finished in the top 10 last year, as well.
“I think, to be honest, the mental space of it being the end of the year is quite healthy. I think I could learn a lot from that,” he said. “I think it allows me to maybe be more present than I otherwise would be with it kind of feeling like the last week before a break.
“But it’s a great place to be, they’re tremendous golf courses and yeah, it’s nice to come back to a place where I’ve had a little bit of success in the past.”
