The Myrtle Beach Classic at the Dunes Golf & Beach Club was a tough week for several pro golfers with ties to South Carolina. While eight natives of the state participated, only a few managed to make the weekend cut. William McGirt, a Wofford College alum, birdied his final two holes to secure his spot in the weekend rounds. PGA Tour rookie Trace Crowe of Greenville shot his career-low of 63 to comfortably make the cut, along with Matt Atkins and Matt NeSmith.
However, not all South Carolina natives had a good week. Bill Haas missed his fourth cut in five PGA Tour starts this season, slipping to 869th in the world rankings. D.J. Trahan, another South Carolina native, missed the cut by one stroke due to struggles off the tee. George Bryan IV, a former South Carolina Gamecock, also missed the cut by one stroke, making four bogeys in each round.
Wesley Bryan, a Columbia native and 2017 RBC Heritage winner, missed the cut for the second straight week after bogeying his final two holes. Kevin Kisner missed the cut for the third straight week, shooting 73-68. Ben Martin, a former Clemson Tiger, missed the cut for the fifth time this season. Jonathan Byrd, a Clemson alum, shot 72-71 to miss the cut and continue his streak of 14 missed cuts in a row. Tommy Gainey, from Darlington, missed the cut after a challenging second round.
In conclusion, while some South Carolina natives like McGirt and Crowe had successful performances at the Myrtle Beach Classic, others struggled to make the cut or find their form. The tournament showcased the ups and downs of professional golf, with some players finding success while others fell short of expectations. It was a challenging week for many South Carolina pros, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport at the highest level. Despite the disappointments, these golfers will continue to work hard and strive for better results in future tournaments.
