The First Look: RBC Heritage

The RBC Heritage is still in its traditional post-Masters spot on the schedule, but now with a new boost as one of this season’s designated events.

Located just 130 miles from Augusta National, the RBC Heritage been a staple on TOUR since 1969. The tournament has a reputation for offering a relaxing trip to the South Carolina Lowcountry after the stress of the year’s first major. Players can’t ease up with another strong field to face, however.

Masters champion Jon Rahm, PLAYERS champion Scottie Scheffler and world No. 5 Max Homa will add to their limited history at Harbour Town this week. Rahm’s only appearance in the RBC Heritage came in 2020, while Scheffler will be making his tournament debut.

They’ll be facing a course that makes up for its lack of length with tight fairways and the TOUR’s tiniest greens. Harbour Town’s famed finishing hole, flush against the Calibogue Sound, is one of the most scenic settings on TOUR, with the famed red-and-white lighthouse standing sentry over the green.

The winner will hoist the trophy on Harbour Town’s 18th green with the satisfaction that he beat the best players in the game on a classic layout that offers a distinctive test.

FIELD NOTES: Masters champion Jon Rahm headlines the field. He returned to No. 1 in the world with his win in the FedExCup and has a 786-point lead in the FedExCup… The top 30 players in the FedExCup standings (as of April 8) are all in the field, as are 41 of the top 50. … Jordan Spieth returns to the RBC Heritage to defend his title from a year ago. Spieth is coming off a T4 finish at Augusta National… Patrick Cantlay, who Spieth defeated in a playoff to win in 2022, will also be back in the field. Cantlay has four top-10s in five appearances at Harbour Town, including three top-threes. He finished T14 at last week’s Masters… Justin Thomas will be looking to right the ship after missing the Masters cut. Thomas has two finishes of 11th or better in four Heritage appearances… Will Zalatoris withdrew after announcing he had undergone a successful back surgery… Nine of the world’s top 10 will be in action in South Carolina… Min Woo Lee, ranked No. 48 in the world, is playing as he looks to earn Special Temporary Membership. Lee finished T6 at THE PLAYERS… Previous Heritage winners in the field include five-time Heritage winner Davis Love III, three-time champion Stewart Cink, Satoshi Kodaira, C.T. Pan and Webb Simpson.

SPONSOR EXEMPTIONS: Ernie Els and…