SIMONS, ST. GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Talor Gooch was playing too brilliantly in the RSM Classic on Sunday to be fazed by anything, and it paid off when he won by three shots at Sea Island with a 6-under 64.
He was competing against two previous winners. A former Sea Island champion pushed him early. Another player toying with 59 caused a flurry in the middle of the round.
To start the back nine, Gooch made three birdies in four holes and never let anyone else get close, capping up a terrific fall with the grand prize. The victory sent him to the top of the FedExCup standings, to No. 33 in the world, and to the Masters at Augusta National in April.
“It’s a dream come true to end the fall season the way I did,” Gooch said.
Gooch matched Kevin Kisner’s 2014 tournament low round of 22-under 260. In the 12-year history of the RSM Classic, he became the sixth player to win the event for the first time.
Mackenzie Hughes of Canada, who won the tournament in 2016, recovered from a group ahead of Gooch with four birdies in his final six holes, capped by a 20-foot putt at No. 18 for a 62 and a 19-under 263 total.
Tyler McCumber (60), Cameron Smith (64), Tom Hoge (67), and Seamus Power (68) tied for third place.
Gooch will begin the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua next year, in addition to the Masters.
He explained, “This allows me into several events that I wasn’t in before.” “However, I want to make it to the Tour Championship, and this gives me a leg up on the competition.” “Winning the Tour Championship is the ultimate goal.”
Gooch started the day with a three-shot lead over Munoz and Power, and he sent a strong message when he hammered two iron shots to set up 5 and 9-foot birdie putts at Nos. 2 and 4.
Gooch floored it after McCumber shot 60 to finish at 15 under par, three strokes back. On the back nine, he birdied four of his first six holes and was five strokes ahead of Hughes and Munoz.
“I knew it was going to take a low one today, and if you told me I’d shoot 62, I’d believe you,” Hughes said. “However, Talor clearly put in a strong performance this week and earned the victory.”
On a sunny, calmer day than the previous two rounds, Gooch said he stayed informed about what was going on.
“I’m attentive at all times…” He said, “I keep a close eye on things.” “However, it makes no difference to what you’re doing right now.” I was sure I was thinking of 20 (under). Once you’ve done that, the rest of the field will feel compelled to help. However, when you worry about scoreboards and scores, you nearly place yourself in a box.”
McCumber began his round on the back nine, making two birdies and a 50-foot eagle putt at No. 15, before turning and birdieing five holes in a row, all on putts of 10 feet or less, to make his second cut in six fall starts.
After having a wedge in his hand from 144 yards out on the par-4 ninth, his hope for a 59 came down to a lot longer putt than he intended — just under 55 feet.
He didn’t cut it off in the middle. He tapped in for his second 60 of the week at the Seaside Course (Munoz accomplished it in the opening round), tying the course record set by Tommy Gainey when he won in 2012.
“I was playing for about 4 or 5 yards of adrenaline to about 3 or 4 yards short of the pin, just in case you get a little help or a little gust,” McCumber said. “I figured an 8- to 10-footer immediately underneath it would be ideal, and it would be rather easy to construct.” I caught it a degree low and came up just a hair short, with a putt that was a bit longer than I desired for a 59.”
