The "Holy Shit How Do We Go From The Masters To This?" RBC Heritage Preview
RBC Heritage week! Let’s gooooo!
Obviously golf-wise we hit a little bit of a low this week following such a high last week. Impossible not to. You don’t simply go from Augusta National to Hilton Head Island and carry that some amount of momentum. Doesn’t happen.
So this week we’ve got the “Holy shit how do we go from the Masters to this” RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links. It’s a sick track.
History
The event first began 48 years ago in 1969 (nice). It’s been on Hilton Head for a long time. 2016 Winning Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III has the most wins in tourney history with 5.
The late Arnold Palmer was the inaugural champ here in ’69 at the age of 40.
Branden Grace of South Africa is the defending champ.
The Track
Harbour Town is a 7,101 yard Pete Dye (over 300 yards shorter than Augusta). But it’s tighter — way tighter. You’re going to see views like this.
And this, where you can be in the fairway but not have a clean shot at the green.
She’s a par 71.
Notable Holes
4th, 200 yards, par 3
Tough, long 3-par early on. With water left and trees right your iron game better be on point standing on this tee. Beautiful hole.
8th, 473 yards, par 4
Not really sure how you have a par 4 that’s this long and this tight but Pete Dye did it. The 8th always plays as one of the toughest holes of the week. I mean, look at that gap?
17th, 174 yards, par 3
Gorgeous. Had to include it.
18th, 472 yards, par 4
One of the most recognizable finishing holes on the Tour schedule. That lighthouse never gets old. The 18th is spectacular, yes, but also very difficult. With the Atlantic ocean and deadly marsh hugging the left side, guys often bail out right here.
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Unless you’re Matt Kuchar in 2014. Then you do this on the 72nd hole to win.
Or Jim Furyk in 2015, with the earliest putter drop of all time.
Clubhouse
Uhhh, clubhouse grade = 1,000,000.
Sidenote
I’ve been here before. We didn’t have enough money to play the course so we just ran out onto the 18th fairway like bad boys then caught some sharks with my dad.
Sup shirtless, skinny, cool orange belt Riggs?
The Field
We’re 4 days removed from the Masters. Spieth, Fowler, JT, and Smylie are golfing in bathing suits on spring break. DJ’s still nursing injuries from a questionable stair fall. It’s not a star-studded field but there are still some names.
Keegan Bradley, Bryson DeChambeau, Ernie Els, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Jim Furyk, Branden Grace (2016 champ), Bill Haas, Charley Hoffman, Martin Kaymer, Matt Kuchar, Marc Leishman, Davis Love III, Graeme McDowell, Vijay Singh, Brandt Snedeker all here.
Predictions
Winning Score — (-15)
The scoring’s been all over the map. Hilton Head is low and flat as shit, but it’s on the ocean so wind is a major factor. The weather looks pretty good, so although the winner’s come in at single digits under 2 of the last 4 years, I think 15-under wins in 2017.
Winner — Russell Knox
Via Cap Father: “The last 4 of 5 Heritage winners have played in the Masters but missed the cut. I’m taking that trend and going with Russell Knox 40-1.”
Sure Cap. Whatever you say pal.
DFL — Steven Bowditch
Dark Horse — Beef
Via Cap Father: “Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston as the long shot at 150-1. Contended with the B squad in Puerto Rico and is still pretty under the radar. Should have a solid weekend in Hilton Head.”
Weather
Coverage
Thursday & Friday: 3-6pm (Golf Channel)
Saturday & Sunday: 1-3pm (Golf Channel), 3-6pm (CBS)
Final Thoughts
It’s not the Masters but I do love this course. Kind of a nice, lighter, relaxing vibe post-Augusta. Enjoy.
Oh and the Fore Play boys did our own little SB2K17 this morning…