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PGA TOUR: RSM Classic top five sleeper picks

By Mike Randleman

ST SIMONS ISLAND, GA - NOVEMBER 20: A detailed view of the RSM Classic logo on the pin marker during the final round of the RSM Classic at Sea Island Resort Seaside Course on November 20, 2016 in St Simons Island, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ST SIMONS ISLAND, GA - NOVEMBER 20: A detailed view of the RSM Classic logo on the pin marker during the final round of the RSM Classic at Sea Island Resort Seaside Course on November 20, 2016 in St Simons Island, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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RSM Classic
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 12: John Oda of the United States Plays his shot from the 18th tee during the continuation of the third round of the OHL Classic at Mayakoba on November 12, 2017 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images) /

In his first professional start, John Oda burst onto the scene with a solo eighth-place finish last week at the OHL Classic. The University of Nevada-Las Vegas product has forgone his senior year and made the most of it in Mexico to earn his way into this week’s field.

Per Golfweek’s Kevin Casey, Las Vegas resident Kevin Na has expressed full confidence in Oda’s game.

“I’m sorry, Coach Knight,” Na said, referencing UNLV coach Dwaine Knight. “I’ve been (trying to) convince him to turn pro for the past six months-plus.”

Na was on to something.

Oda posted three rounds in the 60s, including a Friday 65 that positioned him just one shot off the lead going to the weekend at Mayakoba.

Oda, a Hawaii native, won four times in college with over 20 top-20 finishes. He made the American Walker Cup practice squad and nearly made Spider Miller’s stacked team.

It’ll be interesting to see if the 21-year-old can make the most of limited starts. This will be his fourth career PGA Tour appearance after making two starts earlier this year as an amateur.

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