It’s gonna be really hard to follow up this past weekend. Hideki Matsuyama delivered one of the most impactful victories is recent memory, so good luck RBC Heritage.
For a tournament the week after a major, the field is actually pretty decent. So let’s take a look.
Field
Webb Simpson, the defending champion, is back this week after posting a T12 finish at the Masters. He outlasted Abraham Ancer down the stretch last year.
World No. 1 Dustin Johnson is, to be honest, a surprise name to see on this list. I figured after missing the cut at the Masters as the defending champion he’d take some time off. But, he’s here, looking to find some form before next month’s PGA.
Other big names in the field include Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Daniel Berger, Sergio Garcia, and Tyrell Hatton.
Course
Harbour Town Golf Links
Par 71
7,100 yards
Pete Dye Design
Bermuda Greens
Weather
Key Stats
Although the total yardage looks short, it’s not a bombers paradise. Forced lay-ups, tight fairways, and tiny greens makes this place a ball-strikers playground.
SG: Approach
Data Golf has this stat far and away the most important. Iron players win at this golf course, i.e Webb Simpson last year.
Driving Accuracy
Finding fairways is critical. There are trees EVERYWHERE around this track, so if you find those, you’re in trouble.
Data Golf Information
Course Fit: 1. Waialae Country Club, 2. TPC Sugarloaf, 3. Brown Deer Park GC
Trending (of the players in the field): 1. Paul Casey (Last 3 starts: T5, T17, T26), 2. Corey Conners (T17, T14, T8), 3. Daniel Berger (T9, T17, MC)
% Chance to Win: 1. Webb Simpson (6.4%), 2. Patrick Cantlay (4%), 3. Matthew Fitzpatrick (3.9%)
Betting Odds
Best Bets
First guy we’re gonna talk about, the kid that just placed 2nd at the Masters.
Top 10 – Will Zalatoris (+250)
I know following up a performance like the one he had last week is gonna be really difficult, but I think this golf course was tailor-made for him. He’s the best ball striker on TOUR (outside of Collin Morikawa), hits a lot of fairways, and is capable of making a lot of putts.
In his last 24 rounds, Will is 5th in SG: APP, 26th OTT, 8th in Ball-Striking, 9th T2G.
Top 20 – Matthew Fitzpatrick (+125)
This kid has been playing some serious golf. Going back to the Genesis Invitational here are his finishes: T5, T11, T10, T9 (Players), T34 (Masters). He’s still looking for his first PGA TOUR victory, and I think this week would make a lot of sense. Shorter golf course, iron play emphasized, and he’s lights out on the greens.
Over his last 24 rounds he’s 9th in SG: P, 15th OTT, and 20th T2G.
In 2020 and 2018 he finished T14 here.
Top 20 – Abraham Ancer (+140)
All this guy does is hurts us. We bet on him all the time, and he never delivers. He was the runner-up to Webb last season, which wasn’t a surprise. This course demands accuracy, Ancer is 2nd in FIR, and 14th in GIR. I’d say that’s pretty good. And that GIR number is huge this week due to the size of the greens at Harbour Town.
Since his MC at the Genesis, he has 2 Top 25s, a Top 20, and a T26 finish at the Masters.
In his last 24 rounds he’s 12th in SG: APP, and 19th T2G.
Top 20 – Corey Conners (+150)
This is another guy that is playing really, really good golf. In his last 4 stroke play events his finishes are: 3rd, 7th (Players), T14, T8 (Masters).
T21 here in 2020.
In his last 24 rounds, Conners is 3rd SG: APP, 3rd OTT, 1st Ball-Striking, 2nd T2G, and 2nd Total.
Top 20 – Si Woo Kim (+185)
Another name that has been creeping on leaderboards for the past month. He had a win earlier in the season at the American Express. Last 3 stroke event finishes: T9 (Players), T23, T12 (Masters).
He had a runner up finish at this event back in 2018.
In his last 24 rounds he’s 14th SG: APP, and 13th T2G. Also, for a guy who struggles on the greens, he’s gained a stroke or more on the greens in 3 of his last 4 events.
Winners:
Will Zalatoris – Still looking for a win to earn full-time status on the PGA TOUR.
Matthew Fitzpatrick – Still looking for his 1st career PGA TOUR win.
Cover via GolfChannel.com
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