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2020 RSM Classic: Top 10 power rankings at Sea Island

By Mike Randleman

ST SIMONS ISLAND, GA - NOVEMBER 20: A view of the tee flag on the 9th hole of the Plantation Course during the second round of The RSM Classic on November 20, 2015 in St Simons Island, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
ST SIMONS ISLAND, GA - NOVEMBER 20: A view of the tee flag on the 9th hole of the Plantation Course during the second round of The RSM Classic on November 20, 2015 in St Simons Island, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) /
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Oct 25, 2020; Thousand Oaks, California, USA; Russell Henley tees off on the second hole during the Final round of the Zozo Championship golf tournament at Sherwood Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2020; Thousand Oaks, California, USA; Russell Henley tees off on the second hole during the Final round of the Zozo Championship golf tournament at Sherwood Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Russell Henley should feel good going into 2021 regardless of how this week goes. A win at the RSM Classic would just be the cherry on top to a great finish to the year.

It’s too bad Henley didn’t qualify for this year’s Masters because the Macon, Georgia native could have done some damage. Henley comes to the RSM Classic on a streak of seven top-30s, including top fives against elite fields at the CJ Cup (T-3rd) and Zozo Championship (T-4th). He was the 54-hole leader at the CJ Cup and shot under par on Sunday only to be outdueled by Jason Kokrak’s 64.

These close calls brought him close to winning his fourth career PGA Tour event and first since 2017.

Henley is making his seventh Sea Island appearance. He’s missed his last two cuts but played well here early in his career. His career low round at the time, 63, gave him the 36-hole lead in 2014 on the way to T-4th (68-63-58-69). Henley followed with T-6th (66-72-68-65) in 2015 and T-10th (67-65-70-67) in 2016.

The former Georgia Bulldog would be one of the crowd favorites if galleries were allowed this week at Sea Island GC. He resides in Charleston, South Carolina, so the combination of easy travel and a freshness from not having gone through the wringer at Augusta National will still have an advantage boosts his chances in my eyes.

He can make birdies in bunches, which is usually required to win the RSM Classic. A breezy forecast might change that, but a talented ball striker like Henley can separate either way.

The 31 year old ranks in the top 50 in proximity in all categories between 75 and 175 yards. He’s ninth in strokes gained approach (1.251) after finishing third (.867) in 2019-20.

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