Breakthrough after 104 starts, Talor Gooch’s grit pays off

Talor Gooch became the seventh first-time winner of the RSM Classic. Photo: SI.com
Talor Gooch became the seventh first-time winner of the RSM Classic. Photo: SI.com

Talor Gooch won the RSM Classic by three strokes, earning his first career PGA Tour victory in his 104th start.

Gooch moved to No. 1 in the FedExCup standings with the victory for the first time in his career (71st player in FedExCup era to hold the No. 1 position).

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)

Gooch’s first career Tour victory came in his 104th start at the age of 30 years, 7 days.

He is the second first-time winner on Tour this season (Lucas Herbert, Butterfield Bermuda Championship).

Related Content: Gooch has his foot firmly in the door

Gooch is the seventh first-time winner of The RSM Classic (Tommy Gainey/2012, Robert Streb/2014, Kevin Kisner/2015, Mackenzie Hughes/2016, Austin Cook/2017, Tyler Duncan/2019).

Gooch tied the 72-hole tournament scoring record (Kevin Kisner/2015).

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)

He became the first player to shoot 64 or better in the final round of first win since Joaquin Niemann (2019 Military Tribute at The Greenbrier/64).

Became the sixth consecutive 36-hole leader/co-leader to win the RSM Classic (seventh total); third to win on Tour this season.

He is the eighth 54-hole leader/co-leader to win the RSM Classic (including six of the last seven); third to win on Tour this season.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)

Tyler McCumber (T4) recorded a career-low 60 (previous: 65, three times) and tied the Seaside Course record (Tommy Gainey/R4/2012, Sebastian Munoz/R1/2021). The last player to shoot 60 or better in the final round on Tour was Jim Furyk (58/2016 Travelers Championship).

The RSM Classic is the first PGA Tour event with multiple scores of 60 or better since the 2020 Northern Trust (Scottie Scheffler/59, Dustin Johnson/60) and sixth total.

Mackenzie Hughes has won or finished solo-second three times on Tour, with two coming at The RSM Classic (Won/2016, 2nd/2021).

PGA Tour

Also Read: Partial fasting whets Chan Kim’s appetite for titles