RBC Heritage preview

The PGA Tour moves to South Carolina this week for the RBC Heritage at the iconic Harbour Town Links on the beautiful Hilton Head island.

A number of players who competed in the Masters have made the short trip east for a tournament that's one of the most popular on the PGA Tour roster.

Brandt Snedeker, Jason Day, Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell are among the hoards of players heading across from Augusta National to take part in this week's event.

They'll all be vying for Carl Pettersson's crown. Last year, The Swede finished five shots clear of Zach Johnson and six ahead of former US Amateur champion Colt Knost.

The tournament started life as the Heritage Golf Classic in 1969, with Arnold Palmer winning the inaugural event. Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Payne Stewart have all been winners here.

Harbour Town Links on Hilton Head Island is a relatively short but tricky golf course, and there's a huge premium on keeping the ball in the fairway. The wonderful setting and attractive course combine to make it one of the professionals' favourite tournaments.

Venue: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina Date: April 18-12 Course stats: par 71, 6,973 yards Purse: $5,800,000 Defending Champion: Carl Pettersson (-14)

RBC Heritage TV Coverage:

Thursday 18 - Sky Sports 3 from 8pm Friday 19 - Sky Sports 2 from 8pm Saturday 20 - Sky Sports 3 from 6.30pm Sunday 21 - Sky Sports 3 from 6pm Player Watch:

Brandt Snedeker: It's impossible to look past the American this week. He's a past winner of the event, he's already amassed more than $3m this season and he'll be desperate to win after a disappointing final round at the Masters.

Jim Furyk: The veteran American played some good golf at the Masters, he's a past winner at the Heritage and his game is perfectly suited to Harbour Town.

Brian Gay: Gay has enjoyed a fine start to the season and he's a Harbour Town course expert. Indeed, he won by a record-breaking 10 shots in 2009.

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 ranked as the toughest hole on the course in 2011.

Skills required: Course management. This isn't a long course but careful placement from the tee and on approaches is crucial if players want to avoid the numerous course hazards.