PGA Tour: Kevin Chappell Leads RSM Classic
Kevin Chappell took the second round lead at The RSM Classic on Friday, but there are plenty of golfers in contention entering the weekend.
On a day when the wind blew so hard that the Spanish moss was literally whipping in the wind, PGA Tour players with various goals dotted the leaderboard.
The fall season on the PGA Tour is often about those trying to get a first win or those trying for a comeback. And the RSM Classic is no exception.
Despite the windy conditions, Kevin Chappell took the second round lead at 11-under as he seeks his first win on the PGA TOUR.
“I don’t know about other players, but for me it’s comforting to know the wind’s blowing in one direction,” he said from under his large flat bill cap. “I hit 17 of 18 greens drove it well, especially early in the round.”
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He said he had looked at the stats from last year and was working on improving his weaknesses.
“I’ve really committed to working on chipping and bunker play and getting the ball in the hole when I don’t hit greens,” he said. “I think that should help push me forward to where I want to be.”
Fredrik Jacobson, one stroke back, has returned to play after a voluntary hiatus due to heart surgery for his youngest son.
Jacobson left the PGA Tour in May and was granted a hardship waiver so that he would be able to spend time with family.
“Obviously, was gone for five months there and even before then I wasn’t really contending,” he explained to media after round two. “Last week to be in it, and put myself back in a situation where I’m around the top, this week coming into the weekend again, it’s huge.”
Regarding the challenges his family faced with the health of their son he said it was a rough time.
“There’s a lot that goes through your mind,” he said. “The good thing for us is that Max is a pretty cool customer, so he handled it really well.”
The heart problem showed up out of nowhere and according to Jacobson is the kind of issue that can cause sudden death during exercise with no warning.
“Luckily we found out and could do something about it,” he summed up.
Kevin Kisner, who has had several second place finishes, is another who has yet to crack the code for winning.
However, he has a lot of experience at the Seaside Course at Sea Island which was the site of the SEC championship when he and the rest of his team from the University of Georgia won the title.
“I’m always kind of liking the Seaside more,” he said. “Just have played more there and played a lot of competition rounds there, so I’m more comfortable on the golf course.”
The Seaside Course will be used for the final two rounds although another course, the Plantation, was also used for the first two rounds. Regardless, Kisner has his eye on the prize.
“The goal is always to win, but I always judge how I play on how I do on Sunday coming down the stretch when I have a chance to win,” he said.
With two days left and 12 players within four shots of the lead, there’s no guarantee that either Chappell, Jacobson or Kisner will emerge as the winner, but they are in the best positions right now.