Normally, the event following the Masters sees a much weaker field, but this year’s RBC Heritage is one of the designated events on the PGA Tour schedule that has an enhanced prize purse. The purse for this week is $20 million dollars and that money has attracted almost all of the world’s top golfers. Masters champion Jon Rahm was listed in the field early in the week, but it remains to be seen whether he will withdraw. For now, he is listed as the betting favorite at odds of +700 at BetRivers. Rahm took over the top spot in the latest World Golf Rankings with his Masters win. World No. 2 Scottie Scheffler is listed as the second choice in the betting odds at +800. They are the only two golfers listed with odds of less than +1000. Let’s look at RBC Heritage picks.
Venue: Harbour Town Golf Links is a par 71 that measures 7,121 yards. It is a Pete Dye designed course that is one of the shorter courses on the PGA Tour. It has tree-lined fairways and the smallest greens on the PGA Tour.
Last Year: Jordan Spieth defeated Patrick Cantlay in a playoff last year. Spieth had a final round 66 to get into the playoff. A total of seven players tied for third including Cameron Young and Shane Lowry.
TV Coverage: CBS & Golf Channel
RBC Heritage Odds
Rahm, Jon +700
Scheffler, Scottie +800
Cantlay, Patrick +1100
Hovland, Viktor +1600
Schauffele, Xander +1800
Finau, Tony +1800
Morikawa, Collin +1800
Spieth, Jordan +2000
Homa, Max +2000
Young, Cameron +2200
Fitzpatrick, Matthew +2800
Thomas, Justin +2800
Lowry, Shane +3300
Sungjae Im +3300
Hatton, Tyrrell +3300
Kuchar, Matt +4000
Burns, Sam +4000
Tom Kim +4500
Rose, Justin +5000
Conners, Corey +6600
Fleetwood, Tommy +6600
Henley, Russell +6600
Fowler, Rickie +6600
Theegala, Sahith +7000
Bradley, Keegan +8000
Si Woo Kim +8000
Poston, J.T. +8000
Kirk, Chris +8000
Simpson, Webb +9000
All other players are listed with odds of +10000 or more
Favorite
Jon Rahm +700
The favorite lost again last week on the PGA Tour, as both Scheffler and McIlroy failed to deliver. Rahm has been the one player this season who has done okay in the role of favorite, but I can’t see him winning this week, especially after his win in the Masters. I can’t see anything other than a letdown for Rahm this week, but regardless, I am not betting the favorite in golf odds this week.
Value Picks
Scottie Scheffler +800
I know that Scheffler didn’t win last week, but I was still so impressed. He made a late run on Sunday, but he was simply too far back. Even though Rahm has overtaken Scheffler in the latest World Golf Rankings, I still think Scheffler is the better player. His game is suited to any course and even at odds this low, I still think he is worth taking.
Morikawa, Collin +1800
Morikawa should thrive on a course like this where approaches are critical. He had his moments at The Masters, but was simply too far behind to make a serious run. He played well in this event a couple of years ago and I expect him to be in the mix this week. He hasn’t won in over 17 months and that drought is due to end.
Thomas, Justin +2800
I know that Thomas has struggled a bit lately and missed the cut at the Masters, but did you know that four times since 2010, the winner of this tournament actually missed the cut the previous week at the Masters? Thomas finished 11th in this event in 2015 and he was 8th three years ago. He has six career wins on Bermudagrass greens and that bodes well for this week.
Shane Lowry +3300
Lowry just couldn’t make any putts last week but he hit the ball great. He has had success at Harbour Town in the past and there is no question that he is close to putting it all together. It could be this week and we get a pretty good price of 33-1.
Tom Kim +4500
Kim played well in his Augusta debut last week. He should do even better this week at a course that suits his style of play. Low scores could be the norm this week and we know that Kim can go low. I think Kim is undervalued this week at these odds.
Theegala, Sahith +7000
A player who I think is going to win soon Theegala. He is up into the Top 30 in the World Golf Rankings. He already has a number of top 10 finishes last week including last week at Augusta. He ranks well in a number of important categories, including Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green. I’ll take Theegala at big odds.
Check out the latest RBC Heritage odds at BetRivers.
