What, you needed a cool-down?
Golf stops for nothing, so the PGA Tour rolls right ahead with a signature event this weekend in the wake of a Masters as memorable as any. It’s the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina.
The purse is barely less than that at Augusta, with $20 million total and $3.6 for the winner at stake — the Masters paid out $21 million total and $4.2 million to Rory McIlroy. He’s not in the field at Hilton Head Island, but Scottie Scheffler, last year’s winner, is.
Here are the favorites to claim that plurality prize — and some wager ideas from NBCSports.com betting expert Brad Thomas:
Patrick Cantlay to Win: +1800
It is challenging to predict how golfers will respond after a tough Masters week. Competing in the Masters and following it up with a trip to Hilton Head for a signature event isn’t for the faint of heart.
However, there is a guy in the field with a tremendous course history who is an absolute horse for the course.
That guy is Patrick Cantlay. While Cantlay’s Masters wasn’t exactly what he expected (T36), he is rightfully one of the favorites this week.
Looking at history alone, Cantlay is the guy. He’s finished no worse than third in his last three trips here. In 2022, he had a solo second as well.
At Harbour Town, attacking guys who are fairway finders and great approach players is crucial.
Cantlay’s accuracy off the tee and his sneaky length make him a threat at this course. But what’s more important is his strong iron play, which he gains on approach just about every week.
He’s gained no less than +2.2 strokes on approach in his last six events. Given his great course history, it’s hard to pass up on a +1800 price for him to win this event.
J.T. Poston Top 20 (ties included): +160
Let’s talk about another horse for the course. That’s Mr. J.T. Poston. While Poston missed the cut here in 2023 and 2021, he finished in the top 10 in 2024, 2022 and 2020.
Poston’s game fits Harbour Town so well. He’s an accurate driver of the golf ball and has phenomenal putting. Poston’s name usually pops toward the top of the leaderboard at an event where birdies can be had by those who hit fairways and greens.
It’s been a while since Poston finished inside the top 20. But don’t let that discourage you from backing a guy who is an excellent course fit. If he can continue to hit GIR and work the flat stick, he will be very happy with his result come Sunday.
RBC Heritage odds (as of Wednesday afternoon, courtesy DraftKings):
- Scottie Scheffler: +360
- Collin Morikawa: +1100
- Xander Schauffele: +1200
- Ludvig Åberg: +1200
- Patrick Cantlay: +1800
- Justin Thomas: +2000
- Corey Conners: +2200
- Shane Lowry: +2500
- Russell Henley: +2500
- Viktor Hovland: +3000
- Tommy Fleetwood: +3000
- Jason Day: +3500
- Aaron Rai: +4000
- Sungjae Im: +4000
- Sepp Straka: +4000
- Robert McIntyre: +4000
- Jordan Spieth: +4000