Sleeper Picks for the RBC Heritage: Underrated Contenders Worth Watching
The RBC Heritage returns this week with a field full of star talent, headlined by world number one Scottie Scheffler. Just last year, Scheffler followed his Masters win by capturing the RBC title, donning the tournament's signature tartan jacket. Naturally, he's the odds-on favorite again this week. But for those looking beyond the biggest names, there’s real betting value in players flying under the radar.
The tournament is a limited-field event with 72 golfers all guaranteed four rounds at Harbour Town Golf Links. While many eyes are on the top-ranked players, here are some “sleeper” picks to consider for outright wins, top finishes, and potential betting value:
Outright Picks
Daniel Berger (+5000)
Berger is quietly returning to form. Since finishing second at TPC Scottsdale, he hasn’t placed worse than 30th. He impressed with a T21 at the Masters – his first appearance there in three years – and now heads to a course he knows well. Berger has placed T21 or better in each of his last three trips to Harbour Town, including a T3 in 2020. His scoring average at this course is in the 60s for all four rounds. With past wins at Pebble Beach and Colonial, Berger thrives on courses that reward precision over power.
Bud Cauley (+8000)
Cauley began 2025 with only conditional TOUR status, but he’s turned heads with three straight top-6 finishes. That includes a T6 at THE PLAYERS on another Pete Dye design. He’s currently ranked 15th in Strokes Gained: Approach, a critical stat for success at Harbour Town. While his history here is limited, he opened with a 63 in 2017 en route to a T9 finish.
Top 5 Picks
Aaron Rai (+600)
Rai won at Sedgefield last year, another tight layout like Harbour Town. He had a stretch of three straight top-15 finishes this spring and recently debuted at the Masters with a respectable T27. He ranked 27th in SG: Tee-to-Green this season and even opened with a 63 at this event last year before slipping over the weekend.
Si Woo Kim (+900)
Although he missed the Masters for the first time since 2016, Kim is well-rested and dangerous. He lost a playoff at Harbour Town in 2017 and finished T18 here last year. He’s known for high variance – capable of contending or missing the cut – but with past wins at TPC Sawgrass and Sedgefield, he’s shown he can thrive on courses like this.
Top 10 Picks
J.T. Poston (+410)
Poston consistently performs well at Harbour Town with four top-8 finishes in the past six years. He’s a strong iron player with excellent scrambling ability, ideal traits for this course. Like Rai and Kim, he’s also a former winner at Sedgefield – a clear pattern worth noting.
Max Homa (+490)
After a rough stretch, Homa showed signs of life with a T12 at Augusta. While he’s still adjusting to a new caddie, his emotional game style suggests momentum could build quickly if confidence returns.
Top 20 Picks
Matt Fitzpatrick (+175)
Fitzpatrick has dropped from 12th to 75th in the world rankings over the past year, but he loves Harbour Town. A winner here in 2022, he’s emotionally connected to the course and should not be overlooked.
Matt Kuchar (+290)
Kuchar’s history here is undeniable – seven top-10s and a win in 2014. Even needing a sponsor exemption to play, he recently showed form with a T18 in San Antonio. Harbour Town has always suited his game.
