RBC Heritage: Can Spieth win again?

After last week’s thrilling Masters Tournament, the PGA Tour heads to the South Carolina coast for the RBC Heritage. Matt Kuchar is the defending champion and a strong field has assembled, including Masters champion Jordan Spieth.

Lowdown: After last week’s thrilling Masters Tournament, the PGA Tour heads to the South Carolina coast for the RBC Heritage. Matt Kuchar is the defending champion and a strong field has assembled, including Masters champion Jordan Spieth.

Masters champion Jordan Spieth will be the first Augusta winner since Zach Johnson in 2007, to start at the RBC Heritage. The World Number 2 has finished 1st, 2nd, 2nd and 1st in his last three starts and he’ll begin this week as strong favourite. Other notable players in the field include FedEx Cup title holder Billy Horschel, Ernie Els and veteran Tom Watson.

Designed by Pete Dye with the assistance of Jack Nicklaus, the course at Harbour Town is one of the professional’s favourite tracks. With its iconic lighthouse and Scottish feel, it’s also one of the most attractive on the circuit.

First contested in 1969, Arnold Palmer was the inaugural winner of this event and there have been some notable champions. Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson and Greg Norman have all donned the plaid jacket awarded to the victor here.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Davis Love III earned a reputation as a Harbour Town specialist. He won five times between 1991 and 2003.

Last season, Matt Kuchar chipped in on the 72nd hole to win by one over England’s Luke Donald.

The weather for the week could be unsettled with rain at some point looking highly likely.

Venue: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina Date: Apr 16-19 Course stats: par 71, 7,101 yards Purse: $5,900,000 Winner: $1,062,000 Defending Champion: Matt Kuchar (-11)

TV Coverage: Thursday 16 – Sky Sports 4 from 8pm Friday 17 – Sky Sports 4 from 8pm Saturday 18 – Sky Sports 4 from 6pm Sunday 19 – Sky Sports 4 from 6pm

Player Watch: Kevin Streelman – A good performance in The Masters with three consecutive 70s to start, Streelman also has a good record at Harbour Town – he was tied for third in 2013.

Russell Henley – He was fourth in the Shel Houston Open two weeks ago and a reasonable 21st at Augusta. He’s on extremely consistent form with 15 cuts made consecutively.

William McGirt – Something of an outside shot, but McGirt was tied for ninth in this event last year and he knows this course well.

Key hole: 14th. A par-3 of 192 yards with water all along the right side. Overhanging trees and a treacherous pot-bunker make this a very small target. It often ranks as the toughest hole on the course.

Skills required: Course management. This isn’t a long course but careful placement from the tee and on approaches is crucial if players are to successfully negotiate Harbour Town’s numerous hazards.