PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an eight-under 64 in the RSM Classic on Friday for his first lead after any round.
Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had a bigger cause for celebration.
Dahmen made a five-foot par putt on his final hole for a two-under 68 in tough conditions brought on by the wind and cold, allowing him to make the cut on the number and get two more days to secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He is No. 124 in the FedExCup.
“I still got more to write this weekend for sure,” said Dahmen, who recently had said his story is not yet over. “But without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year.”
Fishburn took advantage of being on the easier Plantation Course, with trees blocking the brunt of the wind and two additional par fives. He also was helped by Maverick McNealy, who opened with a 62 on the tougher Seaside Course, making two bogeys late in his round and having to settle for a 70.
Fishburn, who already has locked up his card for next year, was at 11-under 131 and led McNealy and Lee Hodges (63) going into the weekend.
Michael Thorbjornsen had a 69 and was the only player who had to face Seaside on Friday who was among the top five.
Ludvig Åberg, the defending champion and No 5 player in the world competing for the first time in more than two months because of knee surgery, bounced back with a 64 on Plantation and was back in the mix at five-under 137.
Photo: Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images
– Edited report from PGA Tour website
