RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Preview

It's a tough ask to top last week’s Masters. Passion, determination, drama – it really did have it all, resulting in a champion that no one could surely begrudge. But somehow, we need to move on from last week’s events. And here comes the RBC Heritage!!

We can watch Sergio’s winning putt as many times as we like, but it doesn’t change the fact that we have to wait another year for it to all come around again; how are we ever going to cope? Well, it doesn't get much better than the RBC Heritage at the magnificent Harbour Town Golf Club at Hilton Head, designed by none other than Pete Dye with assistance from previous winner Jack Nicklaus.

Harbour Town GC at Hilton Head. GolfPorn Central...

Other notable winners include Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Johnny Miller, Nick Faldo and Payne Stewart, so, whoever claims the honours this week, they are in extraordinarily good company.

Top 10 Shots at RBC Heritage

Admittedly, it’s not Augusta National, but Hilton Head is one of the classier courses the guys on tour get to play so we could do far worse in nursing our Augusta hangover. Branden Grace took the title last year to claim his first PGA Tour title, closely followed by Luke Donald, who loves this course, and Russell Knox.

Matt Kuchar is the favourite, and probably deservedly so. A backdoor top–5 finish at The Masters, helped by a hole–in–one, caught the eye and Kuch is likely to go close again here at Harbour Town after winning here as recently as three years ago, as well as claiming top–10 finishes in the previous two renewals.

Luke Donald. Loves it at Harbour Town

In fact, the win in 2014 was his last professional victory, that’s if you discount his win on the Australasia PGA Tour in 2015 and the Franklin Templeton Shootout team event last year, which is concerning. He loves a top–10 finish, but actually winning events is a completely different kettle of fish and it’s something that the American has struggled with in recent years, therefore the general 14/1 on him is probably best avoided.

Taking it to the bridge... Matt Kuchar and Russell Knox.. (Worst. Caption. Ever... – Ed)

Looking further down the field, the one that does catch the eye is Luke Donald at 40/1, who holds a remarkable record here at Hilton Head. Quite simply, the Englishman has finished 2^nd here four times in his last eight starts. The course evidently suits the former world number one’s game, where good driving isn’t really needed; instead a premium is placed on a sharp short iron game into some of the smallest greens on the tour.

"Evenin'..."

Donald’s current form is poor, which is a concern, but the price offered of around 9/1 for a top–5 finish looks a sound investment and one that we probably shouldn’t ignore.

Another quality short iron player with a proven record around this classic-designed course is Kevin Kisner. At a current best price of 33/1 (28/1 generally), the American lost out in a play–off to Jim Furyk two years ago, and comes into this week in good form.

Last week’s Masters finish can probably be discarded, but previous to that the form–book read 10–48–1–2–17; the latter three starts points towards a win potentially just around the corner. Ranked in the top–10 in Strokes Gained: Approach the green, Kisner looks primed for a good finish here, and we’re likely to see a good run for our money.

Kevin Kisner. Something's definitely spooked him... probably GolfPunk tipping him to win...

There are plenty of players around the same price that you can make a good case for; Tyrrell Hatton looks like he’ll contend, likewise Adam Hadwin and Martin Kaymer, but a speculative play that I like the look of at a big price is Brian Stuard. Quietly going about his business on the PGA Tour, Stuard has made four of his last five cuts on courses that probably don’t suit his short hitting game as much as he would like.

Brian Stuard. Apparently

Having finished 5^th here back in 2014, it certainly looks like the American can make a challenge here again, especially taking into account his solid showing at The Masters last week finishing in a tie for 36^th. The price of 160/1 on offer looks generous and is worth a smaller stakes investment.

I think it’s safe to say that we’re not going to see the fireworks that were on display at the Masters, but we have a nice looking event to look forward to this week on a course that is one of the more underrated that the PGA Tour visits over the year. 

Where is it?

Recommended bets

Kevin Kisner 33/1 E/W

Luke Donald 40/1 E/W

Brian Stuard 160/1 E/W

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