ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — In a remarkable display of skill, PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn achieved an impressive bogey-free score of 8-under 64, marking his first lead at the tournament. In contrast, Joel Dahmen found himself quite a distance back, trailing by 10 shots, but had reasons to celebrate during the RSM Classic held on Friday.

Dahmen managed to make a crucial 5-foot par putt on his last hole, finishing with a score of 2-under 68, despite facing challenging conditions characterized by wind and cold temperatures. This performance allowed him to make the cut rather narrowly, securing him a chance to continue playing and work towards holding onto his PGA Tour card next year. Currently, he sits at No. 124 in the FedEx Cup standings.

“I still got more to write this weekend for sure,” commented Dahmen, reaffirming his belief that his golfing journey is far from over. “But without the opportunity to compete this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year.”

Fishburn’s stellar performance came largely thanks to the more forgiving conditions at the Plantation course, where the trees offered some cover from the windy elements, coupled with two par 5s added to the mix. His success was also influenced by Maverick McNealy, who initially set the bar with a 62 on the more challenging Seaside course but ended with a 70 after struggling with two late bogeys.

With his strong showing, Fishburn finished at 11-under 131, leading the tournament as he heads into the weekend with competitors McNealy and Lee Hodges (who shot a 63) on his heels. Notably, Michael Thorbjornsen, who shot a 69, was the only other player among the top five to tackle the Seaside course on Friday.

For many competitors, including Dahmen, the stakes were considerably high during this tournament—the last PGA Tour event of the season. Only the top 125 players in the FedEx Cup standings maintain full status for 2025, which is even more significant since next year’s regulations will only grant full cards to the top 100 players.

This context certainly added pressure on Dahmen as he persevered through the colder weather and playing conditions. Despite a bogey on his opening hole, he played remarkably well throughout, managing to handle difficult temperatures hovering in the low 50s, which felt notably colder due to the winds coming from the Atlantic.

A critical moment in his round occurred on the 14th hole, where he skillfully reached the green using a 4-iron for his second shot; he also nailed a wedge to within 2 feet on the 16th, putting him squarely on the cut line. However, as he approached the 18th green from the fairway, he found himself 40 feet away and crucially lagged short on his putt, facing a challenging 5-footer to secure his position for the weekend.

“It was a great putt. I was very nervous,” Dahmen noted. “But there’s still work to do. It wasn’t the game-winner; it was like the half-court shot to get us to halftime. But without that, and the way I played today, I wouldn’t have anything this weekend.”

Dahmen’s fellow players in his group faced difficulties as well, with Zac Blair (No. 123), Dahmen, and Wesley Bryan (No. 125) all under pressure to retain their cards. The cut line was set at 1-under 141, a threshold that both Blair and Bryan fell short of, putting them at the mercy of other competitors potentially overtaking them.

As it stands, Thorbjornsen tied for fourth and Daniel Berger, who shot 66, were both projected to break into the top 125. The pressure remains palpable for Dahmen as he works to maintain his position.

As for Fishburn, the weekend offers him a chance to cap off his rookie season with a victory. “I’ve had a lot of experience playing in cold weather growing up in Utah, playing this time of year, so I’m getting used to playing when the body’s not moving very well, and you’ve got to work your hands,” shared Fishburn, who played collegiate golf at BYU. “I’m just pretty happy with how I played.”

Defending champion Ludvig Aberg made a notable comeback after undergoing knee surgery, returning to solid form with a 64 on the Plantation course, placing him back in contention.

Aberg’s playing partner, Florida State sophomore Luke Clanton, who has recently made waves in the golf community, also delivered a stellar performance with a 65 at Plantation, leaving him just two shots off the lead. Clanton, ranked No. 1 in the world amateur rankings, has already claimed a runner-up spot and achieved two other top 10 finishes since June.

“Playing with him is pretty awesome to watch,” Clanton expressed. “We were kind of fanboying a little. I know he’s a really good guy, but seeing what he’s accomplished over the last few years is really inspirational.”