PGA Tour
Golf Tips
Date: Apr 13–16, 2023
After a thrilling Masters tournament that showcased impressive rounds of golf and Phil Mickelson’s remarkable performance, the action now shifts to the RBC Heritage. A short 2.5-hour trip takes the players to Hilton Head, where they will compete at Harbour Town Golf Links, a par 71 course spanning approximately 7,121 yards. This classic Pete Dye design presents unique challenges, emphasizing the importance of taking the right angles to approach the small green complexes for scoring opportunities. With 43 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking expected to participate, it promises to be a highly competitive event.
When analyzing the key stats for success at the RBC Heritage, Strokes Gained: Approach and Strokes Gained: Putting stand out as critical factors. The ability to position shots correctly into the greens is paramount. Driving accuracy holds significance here, while driving distance takes a back seat. This suggests that players understand the importance of precision and strategically adjust their tee shots to ensure optimal angles for approaching the challenging greens. Additionally, the rough will be grown out this year, placing an even greater emphasis on hitting fairways. Historically, this event favors players who excel in course management, possess solid approach play, and are not necessarily long hitters.
Examining specific distance stats, we find that nearly half of the approach shots fall within the 150-200 yard range, with the 175-200 yard range exceeding the tour average by 7%. Three of the four par 3 holes also fall into this range, making it a key focus area. Additionally, five par 4s on the course measure between 400-450 yards, including a few easier scoring opportunities. Weather conditions can influence play, so keeping an eye on the weather report leading up to the event is advisable.
Lastly, we should consider Bogey Avoidance and Sand Saves due to Pete Dye’s signature bunkering and the presence of water hazards. Given the difficulty of hitting greens, scrambling skills will come into play. Course navigators who can avoid trouble and excel in approach play, particularly within the mentioned yardage ranges, should be prioritized. It is also worth considering players who have a track record of performing well on Pete Dye-designed courses.
Key Stats:
- Strokes Gained: Approach, with a focus on proximity from 150-175 and 175-200 yards
- Strokes Gained: Putting
- Par 4 scoring from 400-450 yards
- Bogey Avoidance
- Good Drives Gained
Our Picks:
- Jon Rahm @9/1: Fresh off his Masters win, Jon Rahm’s current form makes him a strong contender for success. Rahm, a Spanish professional golfer, held the number one position in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for a record 60 weeks and later claimed the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking after winning the Memorial Tournament in July 2020.
- Matt Fitzpatrick @28/1: Matthew Thomas Fitzpatrick, an English professional golfer, secured his first professional tournament victory at the 2015 British Masters after winning the 2013 U.S. Amateur. In 2022, he captured his first major championship and PGA Tour event at the U.S. Open.
- Shane Lowry @28/1: Shane Lowry, an Irish professional golfer competing on both the European Tour and PGA Tour, has notable achievements that include winning the 2019 Open Championship, the Irish Open as an amateur in 2009, and the 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
- Justin Suh @150/1: Justin Suh, an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour, held the number one position in the World Amateur Golf Ranking between October 2018 and April 2019. Despite longer odds, Suh is worth considering based on his potential and past accomplishments.
*Most Betting sites paying 5+ places so E/W advised*
The RBC Heritage, known for much of its history as the Heritage Classic or simply The Heritage, is a PGA Tour event in South Carolina, first played 54 years ago in 1969. It is currently played in mid-April, the week after The Masters in Augusta, Georgia. Image Credit: fivelivenews.com
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