Rory McIlroy emulated his hero Tiger Woods on Sunday evening, becoming the first man to retain the Masters since 2002, and it would take a brave bettor to rule out a hat-trick next year. Despite coming into the Masters in moderate form, McIlroy exuded confidence all week and, even after blowing a 6-shot halfway lead, dug deep for a success that was, in comparison to last year, relatively straightforward. He takes a well-earned break this week as the PGA Tour resumes at the RBC Heritage.
Golf’s elite move on to Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, for the 58th edition of the Heritage. Augusta National and Harbour Town are 2 hugely contrasting courses. The former is wide open off the tee and features huge, sloping greens, while the latter is a claustrophobic layout with some of the smallest greens on the PGA Tour. Those who teed it up in the Masters must quickly adapt to the differing demands of the Hilton Head venue, and there is no doubt that a large chunk of this week’s field would not be appearing in the event if it didn’t have signature status.
While it can be hard to find motivation in the immediate aftermath of a Major, Matt Fitzpatrick finished 10th at Augusta then won this in 2023, while Scottie Scheffler did the Masters–Heritage double a year later. There is no reason to put a line through someone who played well last week. Scheffler, a staying-on runner-up at Augusta, will surely get over the line again soon, but he looks short enough in a tournament packed with quality, in-form rivals. Let’s break down my golf predictions for this week’s RBC Heritage.
RBC Heritage golf picks and predictions
RBC Heritage best bet: Russell Henley (+2150)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Russell Henley is rightly being shown respect after weekend rounds of 66 and 68 meant a share of 3rd place at the Masters, without ever really feeling the same pressure as some of those who were at the top of the leaderboard for the majority of the tournament. Henley was the best iron player in the field at Augusta and has become a top-20 machine on the PGA Tour over the last year, chalking up 14 top-20 finishes from 16 events from June onwards. An accurate, shorter hitter capable of sparkling approach play, he is made for the Heritage test and his 5-year form at Harbour Town is an eye-catching 9-MC-19-12-8.
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RBC Heritage prediction: Jordan Spieth (+3700)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Jordan Spieth disappointed in the Texas Open, then started slowly at Augusta, but he closed with a 68 to share 12th place, and his confidence should increase when he pegs it up in a tournament that he won in 2022, before losing out to Fitzpatrick in a playoff a year later. His tee-to-green performance last week was hugely encouraging and, while the putter has held him back of late, that’s likely to be less of an issue on the smaller Harbour Town greens.
RBC Heritage pick: Maverick McNealy (+4000)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Another who found form over the weekend is Maverick McNealy, who closed with a final-round 67 to finish in a share of 18th, his best Major finish in 13 attempts. A 2nd PGA Tour success could be coming this Sunday for the 30-year-old, who won the 2024 RSM Classic at St. Simons Island, which is 2 hours away from Harbour Town. He finished 4th in the 2021 Heritage and 3rd in last year’s tournament.
RBC Heritage longshot pick: Ryan Gerard (+10000)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Ryan Gerard faltered in the final round at Augusta, but a top-40 finish on debut looks positive for one of the flashiest iron players on the PGA Tour. The North Carolinian can build on last year’s 27th-place finish on Heritage debut.
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