Rookie Long flies under the radar to claim first PGA Tour win

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Charley Hoffman (+375 for a Top 20) … No matter where this tournament has been contested, he’s done well. Overall, he’s 12-for-12 with a T29 last year at Memorial Park. It wasn’t all that long ago when he checked all of the boxes on the stat sheet. That includes pop off the tee into his mid-40s. He’s also had something brewing the last two times out and arrives having scored par or better in 11 consecutive rounds. It’s spillover from a modest late surge of last season when he walked off with four straight paydays, including a T10 in Detroit. This bet is aggressive, but it’s a timely “before the reign” endorsement. Scott Piercy (+450 for a Top 20) … The same thing as detailed for Hoffman can be said of this veteran (who celebrated his 44th birthday on Sunday). Piercy is perfect in nine starts in this tournament, with a T32 (2020) and a T19 (2021) at Memorial Park. Teases to reignite in the long-term have been far and few between, but he’s connected for four top 30s in the last five months, including a T19 this season at the Sanderson Farms. Wyndham Clark … When he’s at his best, we’re treated to a show with his power and putting. It was only four weeks ago when he showcased both default strengths for a T16 at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP. Now, when they’re matched up on a track like Memorial Park, he’s the one treated to his best chance to excel. He opened last year’s second visit in 5-under through two rounds before slipping on the weekend, but that experience taught him what it will take to put four rounds together here. Retreat into a top-30 or -40 market where available. Beau Hossler … The University of Texas product has done some of his best work in the Lone Star State. That includes in Houston where he hung up a pair of top 15s at the previous host of the tournament. He regained fully exempt status this season with a terrific 2021-22 during which he elevated for seven top 25s. He’s already 4-for-4 this season with two top 25s thanks to one of the most reliable putters on the PGA TOUR. Walker Lee … The lefty from Houston is making his professional debut on the PGA TOUR. He concluded his amateur career at the Palmer Cup this past summer and turned pro for PGA TOUR Latinoamérica Qualifying at which he was the runner-up in Florida just last week, so the 24-year-old splashes with momentum. Twice a winner at Texas A&M and peaked at 38th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. The only prop worth considering probably doesn’t exist, but it’d be fun to invest a fraction of a unit for him to make the cut. Odds were sourced on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. For live odds, visit BetMGM. Responsible sports betting starts with a game plan. Set a budget. Keep it social. Play with friends. Learn the game and know the odds. Play with trusted, licensed operators. CLICK HERE to learn more at HaveAGamePlan.org.

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ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Notes and observations from the second round of The RSM Classic at Sea Island Resort’s Seaside and Plantation courses. LEADING LIGHTS Charles Howell III has played more than 500 PGA TOUR events. He’s never lost his card in nearly two decades on TOUR. He’s earned more than $35 million. He’s finished worse than 70th in the FedExCup just four times. His career has been a success according to multiple metrics. But he also knows what his resume lacks, the obvious criticism of an incredibly consistent career. He’s won just twice. His last win was in 2007, before Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were in high school. Howell has an opportunity to end his winless streak in the final event of 2018. He has a three-shot lead halfway through The RSM Classic after shooting back-to-back 64s. His 14-under 128 ties the best 36-hole start of his career and the tournament’s two-round scoring record. Howell, 39, has a three-shot lead over 44-year-old Jason Gore, who is playing on a sponsor exemption, and 23-year-old rookie Cameron Champ. Gore got his insurance license last week. Champ won last month’s Sanderson Farms Championship and is in position to take the FedExCup lead into 2019. Howell has yet to make a bogey despite cold, windy weather on Georgia’s Atlantic coast. He called these the best ball-striking rounds of his career. “I’ve almost done everything in my career, but playing with a lead isn’t one thing I’ve really done a whole lot,� Howell said. “I could talk to you about finishing second or third a lot. As many golf tournaments as I’ve played, this is still relatively new for me.� This is the eighth 36-hole lead of Howell’s career, and first since 2010. He’s never won when leading after two rounds. He could be tough to catch if his strong ball-striking continues. He’s missed just two fairways and two greens this week. “I don’t really get nervous,� he said. “Sometimes I’ll jump ahead of myself and I get a bit excited or try too hard at times.� He’s made it look easy this week. Now comes the hard part. OBSERVATIONS AMATEUR HOUR: LSU freshman Garrett Barber is in 10th place after shooting 65 on Friday. Barber got into the field after winning this year’s Jones Cup. Past champions of that event include PGA TOUR players Beau Hossler, Corey Conners, Justin Thomas, John Peterson, Patrick Reed, Kyle Stanley and Luke List. CLOSING LIKE A CHAMP: Champ birdied his final four holes to shoot 63 and move into contention at another PGA TOUR event. This is the 11th time in his past 14 rounds that he has ended the day in the top 10. He was in second place halfway through last week’s Mayakoba Golf Classic after shooting 62. He closed with consecutive 69s to finish 10th. On Friday, he shot 63 to tie Jason Gore for the low round of the tournament. Champ also has opened a large lead in the Birdies Fore Love race, which goes to the player who has made the most birdies and eagles this fall. The winner of that competition, which concludes this week, will win $300,000 for charity. Champ has made 110 birdies and eagles this season, 11 more than J.J. Spaun. LOTS OF LOVE: There will be two Loves at Sea Island this week after Davis Love III’s son, Dru, birdied two of his last three holes to make the cut on the number. Dru shot back-to-back 70s. His father is ahead of him by two shots. This is Dru’s third made cut in 14 starts. QUOTABLES I’m just an insurance salesman now.Early this morning, it was so cold out there. … The first few holes of the day, you’re just trying to survive.It’s hard not to feel comfortable around these two places. SUPERLATIVES Low round: Champ and Gore both shot 63 to move into second place at 11 under par. They both birdied Nos. 15-18 and shot 30 on the back nine. Longest drive: Tom Lovelady hit a 339-yard drive on the eighth hole. Longest putt: Blake Morris, a Monday qualifier, made a 58-foot putt Friday. He missed the cut by one shot. Hardest hole: The 204-yard, par-3 third hole on the Seaside Course played to a 3.36 stroke average. Only 39 of 77 players hit the green Friday. There were just three birdies on the hole. Easiest hole: The 555-yard, par-5 16th hole on the Plantation Course played to a 4.43 scoring average. CALL OF THE DAY For play-by-play coverage of the third round of The RSM Classic, listen at PGATOUR.COM. SHOT OF THE DAY

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