Welcome to Harbour Town Golf
After a dramatic Masters at Augusta, the PGA TOUR heads to Hilton Head Island for one of the most beloved stops on the calendar: the RBC Heritage 2025. As a Signature Event with a $20 million purse and a no-cut format, this tournament promises four days of elite shot-making on the iconic Harbour Town Golf Links.
While newly crowned Masters champion Rory McIlroy takes a well-deserved break, the field remains stacked with eight of the top ten players in the world. The question is: who will navigate the tight corridors of Harbour Town best and leave with the plaid jacket?
📍 Course Snapshot – Harbour Town Golf Links
Set against the Atlantic coastline in South Carolina, Harbour Town is a tactical masterpiece. Designed by Pete Dye, it’s a par-71, measuring just over 7,190 yards, but don’t let the modest length fool you. With narrow fairways, overhanging trees, and postage-stamp greens, this course places a premium on precision over power.
Winners here are often creative shot-makers who excel in course management, making it a unique test compared to the bomb-and-gouge layouts seen elsewhere on TOUR.
🔥 Who’s Red Hot?
Scottie Scheffler – World No. 1
He didn’t get his second green jacket at Augusta, but a T4 finish solidified his dominance. Scheffler’s ball-striking stats remain off the charts, and he returns as the defending RBC Heritage champion after winning here in 2024.
Harbour Town rewards consistency, and no one is more consistent tee-to-green than Scheffler. He’s the clear favorite this week – and for good reason.
Xander Schauffele – World No. 4
It’s all clicking for Schauffele. After back-to-back top-10s, including an impressive run at the Masters, he’s trending toward a long-awaited win. His iron play is elite, and with strong past performances at Harbour Town, he’s a serious threat.
The only question: can he convert pressure into silverware?
Ludvig Åberg – World No. 5
The Swedish sensation continues to prove he belongs among the game’s elite. His debut at the Masters ended with a solid finish, and his length off the tee combined with a sharp short game makes him a fascinating pick this week.
Åberg was top-10 here in 2024 and has the tools to go even deeper in 2025.
Justin Thomas – World No. 9
Back in rhythm and trending upwards, Thomas has quietly rebuilt his form. His scrambling and creativity are tailor-made for Harbour Town. With confidence growing and putts beginning to fall, JT could be peaking at just the right time.
Don’t be surprised to see his name on the Sunday leaderboard.
Corey Conners – World No. 13
One of the most accurate ball-strikers on TOUR, Conners thrives on tight tracks like Harbour Town. He’s been quietly consistent in 2025 with multiple top-15s and ranks near the top in strokes gained tee-to-green.
His putter will need to cooperate, but the Canadian is a sharp sleeper pick for a Signature Event breakthrough.
❌ Who’s Missing?
Rory McIlroy, fresh off his historic career Grand Slam win at the Masters, will skip the RBC Heritage to rest and recover. While fans would love to see him ride the momentum, his focus is already shifting toward the upcoming team event in New Orleans.
📊 Data Zone
- Course type: Accuracy and course management matter more than length
- Greens: Among the smallest on TOUR – GIR percentage is crucial
- Key metrics: Strokes Gained: Approach, Driving Accuracy, Scrambling
- Winning score last year: -17
- Weather forecast: Breezy conditions expected – favoring creative shot-makers
🐐 GOAT Meter – RBC Heritage 2025
| Player | Form 🔥 | Course Fit 🎯 | Mental Game 🧠 | GOAT Score 🐐 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | 9.5 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 9.3 |
| Xander Schauffele | 8.5 | 8.8 | 8.0 | 8.4 |
| Ludvig Åberg | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Justin Thomas | 7.8 | 8.7 | 8.5 | 8.3 |
| Corey Conners | 8.0 | 9.0 | 7.5 | 8.2 |
🥇 Podium Predictions – RBC Heritage 2025
- Scottie Scheffler – Ice-cold with the irons and the mental edge to go back-to-back at Harbour Town.
- Xander Schauffele – The win is coming. If the putter heats up, this could be the week.
- Justin Thomas – Creative shot-shaping and sharp scrambling make him a perfect fit here.
Dark Horse Pick: Corey Conners – If the putter behaves, don’t blink when he’s in the mix late Sunday.
🏁 Final Thoughts
With no cut and massive FedExCup points at stake, the 2025 RBC Heritage is more than a post-Masters cooldown. It’s a full-throttle battle on one of the most strategic courses in golf.
Scheffler is the man to beat, but with rising stars and seasoned contenders circling, Harbour Town could once again deliver a surprise finish. Precision, patience, and poise will decide who lifts the trophy and dons the tartan jacket this Sunday.
