And it’s here. The most awaited season finale: the RSM Classic. But don’t let the “final event” tag fool you as this isn’t just a casual wrap-up. Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Georgia, is setting the stage for some serious competition, that goes beyond what you’d expect from your average tournament.

What defines a grand finale? Is it the thrill of big paychecks, or the relief from chasing points for next year’s eligibility? This year, it’s all about points and pressure. While this is the last event of the season, the competition remains intense, with players battling for FedEx Cup points—the golden tickets players need to secure a spot in the top 125 for full Tour status in 2025 or to climb higher for additional perks.

And it doesn’t stop there. Players who finish between 51st and 60th on the points list get a nice bonus: entry into two of next year’s signature events—the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Genesis Invitational. That incentive has seven of the players sitting in those 10 spots entering the week here at Sea Island, with another seven sitting Nos. 61 to 70 also in the field.

And while this was about a real point chaser game, money has always been the biggest motivator to zeal up players. And why not? Especially considering the whopping purse of $7.6 million out of which the winner would take home a $1.368 million prize money payout. Let’s see what the rest of the players get from this staggering amount.

Who can we look forward to seeing at the RSM Classic 2024?

Well, let’s start with last year’s winner, Ludvig Åberg. He’s back to defend his title after making history in 2023 with a jaw-dropping performance. Remember how he set the record for the lowest score over the final two rounds? That’s what the dream debut looks like. This time, Åberg returns after a short break, recovering from knee surgery in September. And with his place as the only player in the world’s top 20 in the field, it’s safe to say all eyes are on him.

But Åberg isn’t the only one to watch. Denny McCarthy is making his return to competition after two months off. His FedEx Cup status and 2025 Tour card are already secured, but of course, who doesn’t want to take home the trophy? So yes, you can expect him to make a strong finish to the season.

Then there’s Ben Griffin and Eric Cole, two players with a solid history here. Griffin snagged a T8 finish last year, while Cole impressed with a T3. Can they build on those performances and push for a win? Only time will tell. And how can we not mention Si Woo Kim, fresh off a T6 finish in his last event, or Austin Eckroat, who’s steadily been making waves?

So, who are you rooting for? Let us know in the comments!