2023 RSM Classic: Top 10 power rankings at Sea Island GC

Eric Cole’s been knocking on the doorstep so much his knuckles are starting to hurt. He’s been dazzling in 2022-23 as a 35-year-old rookie, accruing six top-10s and adding three more in the FedEx Cup Fall.

The former mini tour legend ended 2022 ranked No. 384 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Cole’s now inside the top 50.

It’s been a busy year for him, but he’s at least been able to take a few weeks off before heading to St. Simons Island. We last saw Cole record his highest career finish, T-2nd, at the ZOZO Championship.

He was never going to catch Collin Morikawa in Japan, but Cole brought in another big payday. He took T-3rd the week prior halfway across the world in Las Vegas at the Shriners Children’s Open.

Cole also took solo fourth this fall at the Fortinet Championship. He’s made 14 straight cuts, the fifth-longest active streak on the PGA Tour.

One of Cole’s few weaknesses is the driver, both in distance and accuracy. Fortunately, he’s playing a pair of short courses this week. Cole is sharp from the fairway on in, ranking 20th in Strokes Gained: Approach (.541 per round), 16th in SG: Around-the-Green (.3), and 17th in SG: Putting (.46).

He’s ninth in approach proximity from inside 200 yards (47’10”).

The Nova Southeastern University alum fired four par or better rounds en route to T-39th (69-68-70-66) at the 2022 RSM Classic.

Just having course history, even if it’s only four rounds, must feel nice. Cole did his damage this season at venues he’s seeing for the first time.

I see this as the week he finally breaks through for win No. 1.