Steve Palmer's free RSM Classic predictions & golf betting tips

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When to bet on the RSM Classic

By 1.50pm on Thursday

Where can I watch the RSM Classic

Live on Sky Sports+ from 1.50pm on Thursday

Steve Palmer's RSM Classic predictions

Davis Thompson
4pts each-way 20-1 Betfair

Austin Eckroat
3pts each-way 33-1 Betfair

Seamus Power
3pts each-way 30-1 Betfair

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Steve Palmer's RSM Classic preview

Ludvig Aberg turned last year's RSM Classic into a procession, reaching 29 under par for a four-shot victory, and the Swede has been chalked up as clear market leader for his title defence. It is difficult for punters to know the state of his game.

Aberg last competed on September 1 in the final round of the Tour Championship. He then underwent knee surgery, turning down the opportunity to return in the DP World Tour Championship last week.

Aberg is the world number five and obviously loves the RSM Classic assignment, but he is difficult to trust after two-and-a-half months away from competition.

Steve Palmer's top tip

Davis Thompson 20-1

There was a massive draw bias in the Shriners Children's Open a month ago, but Davis Thompson overcame a terrible set of tee-times to finish fifth, carding rounds of 66, 68, 66, 66. He finished 41st in the putting statistics, but his swing was in majestic condition.

Thompson returns to the PGA Tour this week as by far the most appealing option for the RSM Classic. He made his breakthrough in the John Deere Classic at the start of July, cruising to a four-shot success soon after finishing ninth in the US Open and second in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Thompson finished 23rd in the RSM Classic on his PGA Tour debut in 2019 when still an amateur. He was the king of Sea Island in his college days, becoming world number one amateur while at the University of Georgia, boasting form figures of 2-1-2 in the Jones Cup – a prestigious amateur event staged on Sea Island. He won that tournament by nine shots in 2020.

This world-class youngster still lives locally on St Simons Island and has played the Seaside Course about 160 times. He knows the host course like the back of his hand and his father Todd is the RSM Classic tournament director. There seems every chance Todd Thompson will be handing the trophy over to his son on Sunday.

Next best bet

Austin Eckroat 33-1

World Wide Technology Championship winner Austin Eckroat took last week off to recharge his batteries and returns to action on Thursday for another suitable assignment. He finished eighth on his RSM Classic debut 12 months ago, despite arriving in dismal form.

This time, Eckroat tees up in fine fettle, having closed with a 63 to triumph in Mexico. That was his first week using a new putter – he fell in love and rolled his rock supremely well – and a PGA Tour hat-trick may be coming at the age of 25.

Eckroat's maiden victory came in the Cognizant Classic in March. The two days of wind forecast for Sea Island this week will just encourage Eckroat, who grew up in Oklahoma, which is one of the windiest states in America. He has performed well in many assignments which are similar to the RSM Classic.

Other selection

Seamus Power 30-1

A slow start in afternoon winds meant Seamus Power was playing catch-up throughout the Bermuda Championship last week, but the Irishman outscored everybody in the field in the final round, closing with a 65 to rocket up to 23rd place. It was another healthy cheque for a solid all-rounder who has posted a top-30 finish in seven of his last eight tournaments.

Power carded a career-low round of 62 on his way to 13th place in the Zozo Championship at the end of last month. He has slowly but surely found his A-game on his comeback from injury and the RSM Classic appears an ideal season finale for the former East Tennessee University star. Across the border in Georgia, he has already shown a liking for the Seaside Course.

Power missed last year's RSM through injury, but was fourth in 2021 and fifth in 2022. His last nine rounds in this event have been in the 60s and he can contend for a third PGA Tour title on Sunday.

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Steve Palmer's free Australian PGA Championship predictions & golf betting tips 

Course guide for the RSM Classic

• Course Seaside Course and Plantation Course, Sea Island Resort, Sea Island, Georgia
• Prize money $7.6m ($1.512m to the winner)
• Length Seaside 7,005 yards Plantation 7,060 yards
• Par Seaside 70 Plantation 72
• Field 156 The cut Top 65 and ties qualify for round three
• Highest-ranked players in field (world ranking in brackets) Ludvig Aberg (5), Brian Harman (24), Austin Eckroat (35), Sepp Straka (36), Davis Thompson (40)
• Course records - 72 holes 253 Ludvig Aberg (2023) 18 holes 60 Tommy Gainey (2012), Sebastian Munoz (2021), Tyler McCumber (2021), Mackenzie Hughes (2023)
• Course winners taking part Tommy Gainey, Chris Kirk, Robert Streb (twice), Kevin Kisner, Mackenzie Hughes, Austin Cook, Tyler Duncan, Adam Svensson, Ludvig Aberg
• When to bet By 1.50pm on Thursday
• When to watch Live on Sky Sports+ from 1.50pm on Thursday
• Time difference Georgia is five hours behind the UK and Ireland
• Last week – Bermuda Championship 1 R Campos (300-1), 2 A Novak (30-1), T3 A Dumont de Chassart (300-1), M Hubbard (45-1), T5 V Whaley (60-1), S Ryder (90-1), J Lower (25-1), 8 B Griffin (20-1)
• Course type Links/parkland
• Course overview The Seaside Course, crafted by Tom Fazio and used as regular practice turf by local residents such as Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson, Harris English, Keith Mitchell, JT Poston, Davis Love, Patton Kizzire and Brian Harman, became a PGA Tour venue for the first time in 2010. The strength of the sea breezes impacts greatly on the scoring at this exposed layout, while heavily undulating fairways add to the test. At least 14 under par has been needed to top the 72-hole leaderboard in this event. This is a fiddly layout where precision iron-play and sharp scrambling around tricky greens are crucial. The fairways on this links, which is similar to the more famous Harbour Town Links in South Carolina, are flanked by enormous bunkers, waste areas and marshland. In 2015, for the first time, the field played one of the first two rounds at the nearby Plantation Course, an old parkland track upgraded by Rees Jones in 1998, then again by Davis Love and his brother Mark in 2019. Large creeks and lakes are a feature of the Plantation Course, along with dense sets of oak and cedar trees, but it has four par-fives and is easier than the Seaside Course. The final two rounds are on the Seaside
• Story of last year Ludvig Aberg destroyed the 72-hole course record, closing with back-to-back rounds of 61 for a four-shot triumph
• Weather forecast Clear throughout, with temperatures peaking at 20C. Moderate breeze for the first two rounds, getting calmer at the weekend
• Type of player suited to the challenge The Seaside Course lends itself to precision players and those with a tidy short-game. It is not a links which can be overpowered. The Plantation Course is a parkland layout, creating an all-round test for the first 36 holes
• Key attribute Accuracy

Steve Palmer's RSM Classic key stat

Eleven of the 14 editions of this event have been won by an American

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For those looking for even more extensive golf coverage don't miss Palmer's extra pointers every Wednesday in the Racing Post newspaper.

As well as his tips and insight you will also get expert spotlight comments for all players in our extensive PGA Tour and DP Tour price comparison grids which include course and recent form, plus Palmer's unique attribute icons to help identify the type of players likely to be suited to conditions each week.