who’s (projected) in, who’s out

Half the fun is over, half the fun is still to come at the RSM Classic at Sea Island Resort in St. Simons Island, Georgia.

The final of eight fall events as well as the last official event of the 2024 season means jobs are on the line this week. Callum Tarren, who is T-9 and projected No. 170, is resigned to the fact that he’s going to need to do something very special to keep his job for next season.

“I know I need an incredible week to even sniff being a PGA Tour member next year, so I’ve kind of accepted my fate, but maybe it’s freed me up to play some free golf, which I haven’t been for a while,” he said. “So I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and see what happens on Sunday.”

Joel Dahmen entered the week at No. 124 in the FedEx Cup Fall and was on the wrong side of the cutline until he made birdies at Nos. 14 and 16 to sit on the cutline. At 18, he lagged his 40-foot birdie putt and left himself a 5-foot knee-knocker. Miss it and he’d miss the cut and his chances of finishing in the top 125 would be slim and none. Dahmen made the clutch putt and survived the cut. He’s projected to drop out of the 125 but he’s got two more rounds to charge up the leaderboard and that’s all that mattered on Friday.

RSM Classic: Leaderboard | Photos

“I still got more to write this weekend, for sure, but without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year I would say,” he said. “There’s still work to do. It wasn’t the game winner, it was like the half court shot to get us like at halftime.” 

Dahmen summed up the pressure he’s been dealing with as he attempts to secure full status for next season.

“Once I missed the cut in Bermuda last week, stress has been high. You don’t sleep as well,” he said. “It’s like you’re sleeping on the lead of a major every night. That’s kind of what it feels like, but a little more stressful than that.”

The top 125 isn’t the only bubble we’re watching this weekend. Here’s a closer look at who’s in and who’s out for other levels of status.