The Heritage Preview

Jim Furyk

published 20 April 2011

Lowdown: The PGA Tour heads to Hilton Head, South Carolina this week for the prestigious Heritage Tournament over Harbour Town Golf Links. Jim Furyk defends a title he won in a playoff against England's Brian Davis last season. Designed by Pete Dye with the assistance of Jack Nicklaus, the course at Harbour Town is one of the professionals' 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, including Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson and Greg Norman. 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 Jim Furyk won the title, beating England's Brian Davis in a dramatic sudden-death playoff. At the first extra hole Davis pulled his second shot slightly and it ended on the beach to the left of the green. He played his third back on to the putting surface but felt he may have touched a loose reed on his backswing. A check of the video replay confirmed his fear and he conceded the tournament to Furyk. It was one of golf's great displays of honesty and sportsmanship. Venue: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina Date: April 21-24 Course stats: par 71, 6,973 yards Purse: $5,700,000, Winner: $1,026,000 Defending Champion: Jim Furyk (-13)

TV Coverage: Thursday 21 - Live on Sky Sports 3 from 9.30pm Friday 22 - Live on Sky Sports 3 from 8pm Saturday 23 - Live on Sky Sports 3 from 7pm Sunday 24 - Live on Sky Sports 3 from 6pm

Player Watch: Luke Donald - The Englishman must be considered one of the favourites. He is on a great run of form, including a fine performance at The Masters. He's finished in the top-three in each of the last two years here.

Matt Kuchar - Another solid and consistent performer, even if his up and down performance at Augusta belied that fact. He's made the cut every time he's started at Harbour Town.

Jason Day - The Australian showed amazing grit and determination at Augusta. He looks to have a superb all-round game and could well contend again this week.

Key hole: 17th. A par three of 185 yards with water everywhere. Strong crosswinds often affect the tee shot and anything that catches the breeze can end up in the lagoon.

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 find the small greens and to negotiate Harbour Town's numerous hazards.

Where next? European Tour: Volvo China Open preview

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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