PGA TOUR: What To Watch For This Week at the RBC Heritage

The RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links has a tough act to follow, but the PGA Tour moves along as usual from Augusta National. While we’re all still buzzing from the magical weekend that was Tiger’s win, we now look forward and prepare for what will be another exciting tournament in Hilton Head, SC.

Matt Kuchar during the third round of the RBC Heritage on April 14 at…

Matt Kuchar during the third round of the RBC Heritage on April 14 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, SC. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Does this place have the aura and notoriety of The Masters? Absolutely not (because no place does), but this tournament has shown us some flashes of brilliance in the past. With the field set and the condensed schedule showing its teeth again, you can be assured there will not be a disappointment come Easter Sunday.

Jordan Spieth hits his tee shot on the second hole during the final…

Jordan Spieth hits his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 19, 2015 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

It’s not the star-studded event we got last week but we have the likes of DJ, DeChambeau, Molinari, Fleetwood, Schauffele, KUUUCH and Spieth in the field. We also can’t forget our favorite Monday qualifier Corey Connors either, though he didn’t need to qualify for the event this week.

We also have the reigning RBC Heritage champion, Satoshi Kodaira in the field as well as the runner-up to Kodaira in Si-Woo Kim. Kim will undoubtedly be looking for redemption of his playoff loss last season while Kodaira hopes to find some form this week as he’s been struggling mightily since last summer.

The sunsets over the 18th green during the first round of the RBC…

The sunsets over the 18th green during the first round of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 12, 2018 in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

This Pete Dye-Jack Nicklaus designed course has a bit of European flash with its tall brush, bunkers, and water in play which differs from the usual “grip it and rip it” courses we get a lot of during the PGA Tour season. Precision off the tee and with the approach shots are critical for success which is why a winning score hovering around 10-under-par won’t be a surprise.

The final round especially seems to give players trouble, so anyone who enters Sunday within 5 shots of the lead has a realistic shot at a comeback win.

I’m hesitant to pick a winner because ever since I started these opinion pieces, I’ve been dead wrong with my choices. Ryan Palmer and Justin Rose have had MCs the past two tournaments…but I’m not a quitter.

Matt Kuchar has had success in the past and has won the event back in 2014 after a hole out on the 72^nd hole. Last year he finished T23.

Jim Furyk obviously appears to be over his injuries that have hampered him over the last few years by surprising virtually everyone with a runner-up finish at The Players Championship and a solid finish at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Dustin Johnson performed very well last week at Augusta National and RBC would love to see him win their annual visit to Hilton Head.

Patrick Cantlay of the United States reacts on the 18th green during…

Patrick Cantlay of the United States reacts on the 18th green during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

While I like the players previously mentioned and feel they’ll be contenders through the end, I like what I saw from Patrick Cantlay last week and feel that performance carries into this week. I absolutely think when he saw his name at the top of the leaderboard last week, he panicked. But given he hadn’t been in that position before it’s completely understandable.

Hilton Head GL isn’t The Masters, so bringing that good form into this week shouldn’t be a problem. Ian Poulter is also coming into the week with good form, and how great would it be to see him put on that crazy blazer?

Satoshi Kodaira during the final round of the RBC Heritage on April…

Satoshi Kodaira during the final round of the RBC Heritage on April 15 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, SC. . Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

I hope you all enjoy the Easter weekend and get to eat a nice plate of lamb while enjoying the RBC Heritage.

Until next time…

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