Maverick McNealy started the day with a share of the lead and carded a 2-under 68 at the Seaside Course to reach 16-under and win at the RSM Classic.
“My mind’s gone blank honestly,” said the American. “It was an unbelievable adrenaline rush there, especially on 18. Start to come down from it a little bit, but I — it was a moment I will never forget getting to celebrate with my friends, my family, my wife, my team.”
This first PGA Tour title comes in his 142nd career start at the age of 29 years. It is his career-best sixth top-10 of the season.
“This was a week I wasn’t expecting to play well, to be honest. This is a golf course I haven’t had much success on. It’s a golf course that requires really good iron play and it’s a golf course with really slick dormant Bermuda greens, which as a West Coast guy is not my most comfortable putting surface. I kind of came here with the attitude that I wanted to learn and figure out how to play here. Played so well on Thursday, it kind of affirmed all the work that our team’s been putting in and the changes we made this year. Made the weekend a lot more exciting.”
With the victory, McNealy earned a two-year PGA Tour exemption, 500 FedExCup points, and invitations to The Sentry, Masters Tournament and PGA Championship in 2025. He maintains his position inside the Aon Next 10 (moves to No. 51, entered the week No. 52) to qualify for two Signature Events in 2025: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational.
American amateur Luke Clanton closed with a 66 for a share of second place at 15-under, his third top-five of the 2024 PGA Tour Season (T2/John Deere Classic, 5th/Wyndham Championship, 2nd/The RSM Classic) and fourth top-10 (T10/Rocket Mortgage Classic). He recorded the best finish by an amateur at The RSM Classic (previously: T23/Davis Thompson/2019).
The Florida State junior entered the week with 15 points in PGA Tour University Accelerated, and moved to 17 points with 1 point for making the cut and 1 point for finishing in the top 10; if he reaches 20 points by the end of the 2024-25 collegiate season, he will become the second player to earn PGA Tour membership through PGA Tour University Accelerated (first: Gordon Sargent).
Colombian Nico Echavarria made a single bogey at the final hole for a 65 and a share of second place, recording his fourth top-10 of the season, with three coming in his last four starts: (Win/Zozo Championship, T6/World Wide Technology Championship, T2/The RSM Classic).
In his last start of a tournament winner’s exemption, American Daniel Berger carded a bogey-free 67 for a share of second place. This marks his best finish since the most recent of his four Tour wins at the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and he moves up from No. 127 to No. 100 in the FedEx Cup standings to secure Tour membership for 2025.
2023 RSM Classic champion Ludvig Åberg signed for a bogey-free 64 to finish T17 at 10-under in his first start since left knee surgery in September.
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The RSM Classic was the final event of the FedExCup Fall to determine the Top 125, players who will be exempt into all Full-Field events and The Players next season. Nos. 126-150 earn full Korn Ferry Tour status and conditional status on Tour.
Two players moved into the Top 125: Daniel Berger (T2; from No. 127 to 100), Henrik Norlander (T17; from No. 126 to 120).
Two players moved out of the Top 125: Zac Blair (MC; from No. 123 to 126), Wesley Bryan (MC; from No. 125 to 128).
Nos. 51-60 through the FedExCup Fall qualify for two Signature Events in 2025 via the Aon Next 10: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational. One player moved into the Aon Next 10: Kevin Yu (T11, from No. 61 to 58). One player fell out of the Aon Next 10: Justin Rose (DNP, From No. 60 to 62).
