2023 RSM Classic: Eric Cole shares Round 1 lead with Rookie of the Year honors, Masters invite on the line

Eric Cole has performed golfing everywhere the international on as regards to each excursion on as regards to each sort of golfing direction identified to guy. At 35, he’s simply now about to complete his first season with the PGA Tour, all the way through which he teed it up in 38 tournaments. Bursting onto the scene with a playoff defeat to Chris Kirk at the Honda Classic, the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year honors has a dream alternative to finish his dream 12 months in model after a gap 6-under 66 at the 2023 RSM Classic. 

Round 1 motion at Sea Island was once suspended because of darkness with Cole, Cameron Young and Davis Thompson sharing the best spot on the leaderboard.

“It was a good day, scored well and kind of stayed somewhat patient, stayed relatively patient with a lot going on, so it was good … any tournament I come to I try and be prepared and play as well as I can,” mentioned Cole. “You know, I got my fiancée and her parents here and my mom here, so just trying to have a good week and we’ll see where the weekend goes.”

Cole has had many just right weeks right through his freshman marketing campaign. In addition to his runner-up at the Honda Classic, the former mini excursion legend has contended at tournaments comparable to the Mexico Open and the Canadian Open. In most effective his 2nd get started in a significant championship, Cole slept on the lead after Day 1 of the PGA Championship. Closer to 40 than he’s 30, Cole is experiencing a host of firsts, one thing this is rising more and more uncommon for a recreation rising more and more younger. 

The smooth-swinging proper hander don’t need to to be taking part in this time of 12 months. Bids to play in the first two signature occasions of 2024 and taking part in privileges are on the line, however Cole already has his locked up. Despite completing inside of the best 50 of the FedEx Cup, Cole has taken the FedEx Cup Fall by way of hurricane.

Three best fives throughout his 4 outings, highlighted by way of his runner-up to Collin Morikawa at the Zozo Championship, Cole now has any other first without delay in sight: The Masters. With the best 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings by way of the finish of the calendar receiving a call for participation to Augusta National for 2024, the international No. 48 is on the inside of monitor to look the first main championship of the season for the first time in his occupation.

“I just kind of keep an eye on it [his world ranking] here and there,” mentioned Cole. “I had some people text me that I was in the top 50 in the world so looked it up. Yeah, just kind of there’s a lot of downtime in golf, so in between rounds, take a peak at it.”

A victory come Sunday would additionally suffice. A person who has sought after for his complete to occupation to play on the PGA Tour and on the largest levels in golfing, Cole has needed to wait longer than maximum. The ready recreation is now over, and for the first time Cole has the international of golfing at his fingertips.