While Rory McIlroy takes a week off to revel in his long-sought Masters victory, the rest of the golfing elite is preparing for the fifth signature event of the season, the RBC Heritage, beginning Thursday at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Fifty-six players who competed at the Masters last week made the short trip to South Carolina to battle for their share of a $20 million purse. That includes the man McIlroy defeated in a playoff, Justin Rose. The Englishman has been gracious in defeat, knowing what McIlroy completing the career Grand Slam meant to the golfing world.
“I think it’s definitely been one to process a little bit,” Rose said. “There was a lot going on on Sunday. There was obviously a huge opportunity for me at the very end.
“But to give myself that opportunity, I played some incredible golf. It was one of the most fun days I’ve ever had on the golf course.”
The runner-up finish catapulted Rose to 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking and ninth in the FedEx Cup race, impressive on its own merits for a 44-year-old.
“The reason I’m working hard enough to do it is because I still have that belief that it’s possible” for him to win on tour, Rose said. “I think that that’s why these weeks are important for me still is that it’s just reaffirming that it’s still possible.”
In 2024, Scottie Scheffler hogged many of those opportunities to win titles, including the Heritage directly after he won his second green jacket. Coming off a fourth-place finish, Scheffler is still hunting for his first title of 2025 but feels no pressure.
“I’m just looking forward to a relaxing week, get to enjoy some competition,” Scheffler said. “For us it’s an easy week, and it’s fun. You get to bring your family. I don’t really know how to elaborate other than it’s a lot of fun.”
Scheffler went 19-under par for four rounds last year to defeat Sahith Theegala by three shots.
The course was slightly lengthened to 7,213 yards last year, but it’s known far and wide as a “second-shot golf course,” meaning one where irons and approach play are paramount.
“It’s a really good test of ball striking, this golf course,” Scheffler said. “You’ve got to curve it both ways. You’ve got to hit shots. We’re going to get some wind. You have to control spin, control trajectory.”
Eight of the top 10 and 43 of the top 50 players in the world rankings are set to compete, including Swedish star Ludvig Aberg and Russell Henley, who won previous signature events this season (the Genesis Invitational and Arnold Palmer Invitational, respectively).
Jordan Spieth’s last victory came at the 2022 RBC Heritage in a playoff against Patrick Cantlay. He’s in the field on a sponsor’s exemption.
Harbour Town Golf Links will be closed for a restoration following the end of the tournament.
–Field Level Media
