RBC Heritage 2025: Power Rankings and Tournament Outlook
After an unforgettable Masters Sunday, the PGA TOUR shifts its focus from Augusta to Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage — the fifth Signature Event of the season. Traditionally a decompression stop after the year’s first major, this tournament is anything but a breather, especially with 56 Masters participants teeing it up again. Though Rory McIlroy won’t be in the field following his career Grand Slam win, golf fans still have plenty to be excited about.
Harbour Town Golf Links, the host venue, is a par-71 measuring 7,213 yards and famous for demanding precision over power. The small, 3,700-square-foot greens are nestled among mature trees, requiring accurate iron play and strategic course management. Unlike most PGA TOUR stops, this isn’t a putting contest — although the overseeded Bermudagrass greens are expected to roll at a slick 12.5 on the Stimpmeter. With only 1.25-inch rough and no cut, all players will be competing for FedExCup points and a hefty $3.6 million winner’s check.
Top 5 Players to Watch
1. Scottie Scheffler – Returning to defend another title, Scheffler has had a stellar 2025 season despite being winless since a hand injury. With four top 10s and two runner-up finishes, he's still the man to beat. He placed T11 here last year in his debut.
2. Collin Morikawa – Harbour Town’s tight layout fits Morikawa’s strengths perfectly. Leading in approach metrics, he’s notched two top 10s at this course and finished top 20 in all six of his starts this season.
3. Patrick Cantlay – Often compared to Luke Donald for his consistency here, Cantlay has a runner-up and four third-place finishes in seven appearances. A win at Harbour Town seems inevitable.
4. Shane Lowry – After fading on Sunday at the Masters, Lowry is hungry for redemption. He’s had three top 10s in seven appearances at this venue, making him a consistent performer on this layout.
5. Corey Conners – With five top 10s already this year, including T8 at Augusta, Conners is in excellent form. His improved putting complements his already solid ball-striking.
Other notable names include Jordan Spieth, who won here in 2022 and finished runner-up the next year, and Sungjae Im, who continues to play well on this course with multiple top finishes. Justin Thomas, fresh off a T36 at Augusta, is seeking redemption, while European talents like Ludvig Åberg and Sepp Straka look to capitalize on their recent momentum.
The weather forecast points to ideal playing conditions, with sunshine, light winds, and temperatures in the 70s. Scoring is expected to be low — last year’s average was just under 70 — and similar conditions should set the stage for another exciting finish.
In the long term, the course is preparing for a major restoration led by five-time champion Davis Love III. Set to begin in May, this six-month project aims to restore the course in line with Pete Dye’s original vision.
Until then, all eyes are on this year’s RBC Heritage — where precision, strategy, and form will define who wears the tartan jacket next.
