What's at Stake at the RSM Classic, the PGA Tour's Final Event of 2023

Fully exempt status for next year is on the line for a number of players as well as spots in limited-field events.

For the first time in 10 years, the tournament that ends the PGA Tour’s season will be more than just a sleepy little Georgia event that is meant to bridge the gap from the fall and the holidays and into the new year.

This week’s RSM Classic in Sea Island is the final official event of the 2022-23 PGA Tour schedule.

Unlike the past decade, it won’t be part of a wraparound setup. Instead, the RSM is not only the last event of 2023, it is the last opportunity for players to maintain, gain or improve status heading into 2024.

And that means there a few things are at stake this week.

The Next 10

As part of the new series of "Signature Events" that will include eight tournaments in 2024 with limited fields and, in most cases, no cuts, the top 50 in FedEx Cup points through the BMW Championship saw their positions locked with places secured in those signature events in 2024.

Matt Kuchar is closing in on spots in next year's first two Signature Events.  :: Raymond Carlin III/USA TODAY Sports

But the Tour has other pathways into those tournaments, and one is for the top 10 players in the FedEx standings—spots 51 through 60—after the RSM Classic to be assured spots in the first two Signature Events following the Sentry in January: the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Genesis Invitational.

According to the PGA Tour, No. 51 Beau Hossler has secured a spot in the Next 10, while the next nine players through No. 60 are in this week’s field, including No. 52 Matt Kuchar and No. 60 Sam Ryder. Seven players between 61 and 70 are also in the field.

Top 125

Unlike past seasons, when a player’s exempt status was determined following the Wyndham Championship, it has now been extended into the fall. This year marks a one-off where last fall and this fall count toward the same season. The FedEx Fall, as it has been branded, has been comprised of seven events that end this week. Players have had the opportunity to improve or hold their positions.

Without a previous exemption for winning a tournament, those who fall outside of the top 125 this week will no longer be fully exempt. They will have an opportunity to return to the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (Dec. 14-17)—which will award spots to the top five and ties—or attempt to get into events via their priority ranking from 126 and beyond. But clearly, being top 125 is a big deal.

According to the PGA Tour, all 20 players from positions 121-140 in the FedEx Cup standings are entered. Carl Yuan is 125th. Former PGA champion Jimmy Walker is 139th.

Special temporary members Nicolai Hojgaard and Min Woo Lee already have enough points to finish among the top 125 from their category and have assured themselves a Tour card through this avenue. Both are competing this week at the DP World Tour Championship.

DP World Tour

For the first time, as part of the PGA Tour’s "strategic alliance" with the DP World Tour, exempt spots are being offered via the DP World Tour’s final Race to Dubai standings. The top 10 not otherwise exempt will get status on the PGA Tour next year.

That means rule out DP World Tour players such as Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm. The list goes beyond any player who is already assured of being a PGA Tour member.

That also makes this week’s DP World Tour Championship significant for reasons other than just the final standings. (McIlroy has already clinched the Race to Dubai title.)

The No. 1 player from this group gets a spot in the Players Championship and is exempt from the various reshuffles that take place throughout the year. The nine other players go into a category with the PGA Tour Q-School and Korn Ferry Tour grads. Adrian Meronk currently leads this category.

Other Storylines

Adam Svensson is back to defend his RSM title and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg is in the field, hoping to improve his position in the Official World Golf Ranking by the end of the year. He is currently 53rd. British Open champion Brian Harman is also making his first start since the Tour Championship.

Others in the field are U.S Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson and 2021 European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington, who is coming off a successful season on the PGA Tour Champions.