Still thinking about Adam Scott’s historical Masters win? With Scott’s major now in the record books, the PGA Tour continues the historical theme this week as it moves toward the Atlantic shoreline and the RBC Heritage.
Last year, Carl Pettersson won by five shots over a field that included Rory McIlroy, Zach Johnson and Luke Donald.
This year the impressive field includes 10 of the top-25 players in the world. Several of those players had strong performances at the Masters including Jason Day, Brandt Snedeker, Matt Kuchar and Jim Furyk.
Pettersson’s RBC Heritage win last year was his fifth on Tour. What did the win mean to him?
“Yeah, every win is real special,” Pettersson said in his pre-tournament press conference. “It’s getting harder and harder to win out here with the players. I feel like in the last two or three years it’s really become really competitive. But five wins is great. I’m hoping to add to that. I know it’s going to take a lot of effort and hard work and dedication, but I hope I can add to it.”
Pettersson will try to add another Heritage win and join Harbour Town’s elite group of champions who have won here in consecutive years. Pettersson could join the ranks of players like Payne Stewart who won in 1989-90, Davis Love III won in 1991-92 and most recently, Boo Weekley who won in 2007-08.
Unfortunately, Love will not play this week. He has won the Heritage five times, but is in the process of recovering from a neck surgery he had in early February.
Snedeker, who was also a strong contender at the Masters, won the tournament in 2011 in a playoff with Luke Donald. He could be a significant threat this week and has displayed a strong resurgence since coming back from his rib injury.
Speaking of resurgence, former British Open champion Stewart Cink will also be competing this week. He finished tied for sixth a couple weeks ago at the Shell Houston Open and is still looking for his first win on Tour since the Open in 2009.
The RBC Heritage, also known through the years as the Heritage Classic, has been a staple on the Tour for 44 years dating back to its inaugural event in 1969. Harbour Town Golf Links was actually the first golf course Jack Nicklaus designed. Nicklaus along with architect Pete Dye teamed up for the design which has remained a favorite by many on the tour.
it is known for being one of the shortest courses on Tour, but offers plenty of challenges for anyone. Tall pines line many of the narrow fairways and small greens require players to have laser-like focus on their selected targets.
With a strong field and several contenders from last week’s Masters, the RBC Heritage should offer plenty of interesting storylines.