The PGA Tour heads to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, SC this week for what is poised to be another great weekend of golf. Again, per the new normal, it will be held without a live gallery.
The RBC Heritage has been played since 1969. The 2016 Ryder Cup captain, Davis Love III, has won here a record five times. In normal times, this tournament directly follows the Master’s which usually results in a lack of name recognition. However, with over 100 PGA Tour winners making the trip East, there should be plenty of drama for the second consecutive week.
CT Pan won his first PGA Tour event here last year. He was the fourth straight in as many years, leaving the door open for a first time winner streak to continue.
Let’s tee it up!
The Course
This Pete Dye layout bends its way through the narrow South Carolina pines and low marshes. It runs 7,099 yards (Par-71). Much like Colonial, this course will belong to the shot-makers this week as players try to avoid the 17 water areas and 54 sand bunkers. The guys will find themselves challenged with intense angles, tree lines and small greens. Though, its light rough will allow for an easier escape when fairways are missed.
Let’s take a look at some holes:
#4, 200 yards, Par 3
This is the type of hole that the average golfer pulls up to and their stomach sinks. A long one-shot challenge with a green guarded by water on the left and trees on the right. It is certainly picturesque in nature but will really set the tone early in the day.
#8, 473 yards, Par 4
This one is a real tester. It is among the hardest on the entire course and requires a well-placed drive or a bogey is imminent. Carrying the pines on the right and securing a fairway is essential to giving yourself a decent shot at a truly elusive green.
#14, 192 yards, Par 3
Another picturesque par-3 with water on the right and trees on the left alongside a small green, no room to bail out and a pot bunker. It’s a cruel beauty.
#17, 174 yards, Par 3
This is the week of gorgeous par threes. This one includes a 90-yard bunker that may be more friend than foe as the result of heading to far left puts you in the angry marsh. At 174 yards, this seems pretty straight forward, but don’t judge a book by its cover.
#18, 472 yards, Par 4
This finishing hole is landmarked by a famous lighthouse that not only guides ships safely in from the sea but also serves as the aiming spot for a successful drive off the tee. The longer hitters will challenge the tree line up the right side but a majority of guys will look to aim it left/center – allowing plenty of room to bail right.
Matt Kuchar did this to win in 2014:
Jim Furyk did this a year later in 2015:
The Field
Again, this field is stacked.
Here are some featured groups:
Jordan Spieth, Kevin Kisner, Zach Johnson
Thursday, 7:18 a.m., No. 10 tee
Friday, 12:43 PM, No. 1 tee
Rory McIlroy, C.T. Pan, Rickie Fowler
Thursday, 7:40 a.m., No. 10 tee
Friday, 1:05 p.m., No. 1 tee
Daniel Berger, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed
Thursday, 7:29 a.m., No. 10 tee
Friday, 12:54 p.m., No. 1 tee
Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Justin Thomas
Thursday, 1:05 p.m., No. 1 tee
Friday, 7:40 a.m., No. 10 tee
Dustin Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama, Gary Woodland
Thursday, 12:54 p.m., No. 1 tee
Friday, 7:29 a.m., No. 10 tee
My Pick
I like Justin Thomas this week. He’s a dude who can hit it long and craft some delicious shots. Both will prove to be effective this week at RBC. JT for the win.
A lot of great guys to pick from this week. Here are some odds:
Some value guys:
Tyrrell Hatton (60-1)
Viktor Hovland (66-1
Jason Day (70-1)
Where to watch
Thursday: 3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
Friday: 3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
Saturday: 1-2:30 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. ET (CBS)
Sunday: 1-2:30 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. ET (CBS)
Earlier viewing is on PGA Tour Live.
Well, it’s on to another great week of golf!
Enjoy it.
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