Any tournament that comes along after a major has a tough act to follow but the RBC Heritage has given us plenty of excitement and top-class golf since its inception in 1969. It is inevitable that a number of the world’s best players will sit this one out but the event still tends to draw a stronger field than several on the PGA Tour.
With many of the highest ranked men absent, it also provides an opportunity for a long-odds pick to deliver at the end of four days.
Last week in Augusta we claimed one return at +175 as Xander Schauffele delivered in the top 10 finish markets. It wasn’t an overall profit but it keeps a steady run going as we head up to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. We are hoping for better with our RBC Heritage predictions and picks for this preview.
Dustin Johnson and Webb Simpson are the standout names and the two start as joint favorites at 12/1 (+1200) in places. Johnson clings on to the world number one slot but a poor run of form culminated in that missed cut at the Masters. DJ hasn’t made the top 15 in five attempts on this Harbour Town course but he may find some success in a weaker field.
Simpson starts as the RBC Heritage defending champion having claimed the title by one shot from Abraham Ancer last year. He is in better touch with four solid rounds at Augusta and that win forms one of five top 20 finishes in this event. Webb also lost out here in a playoff to Graeme McDowell back in 2013.
A brief gap to the chasers sees Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa come in at 16/1 followed by Daniel Berger at 18/1. Berger tied for third behind Webb Simpson last year and has been consistent since that point. Cantlay also tied for third in this tournament when he last appeared in 2019.
Moving through the pack, Cameron Smith, Tyrrell Hatton and Paul Casey can all be found at 25/1 in places. Hatton was a co-leader of the RBC Heritage last year and was another man to finish eventually in a tie for third place. Smith continued his fine run at the Masters with a tenth placed finish and returns to the event for the first time since 2015.
At the fringes of the chasers are Matt Fitzpatrick, Abraham Ancer and Will Zalatoris, who can all be found at 28/1. Zalatoris is clearly the man to watch after his near miss at Augusta and, if he can respond from the disappointment of losing by just one shot, that could be a superb price.
Corey Conners and Brian Harman could also provide some strong value at best odds of 33/1. Both men enjoyed a productive four days at Augusta and just needed a last day surge to get over the line.
Sergio Garcia and Kevin Na are both quoted at 40/1 while Harris English is another standout name at a best of 50/1. A recent dip in form was addressed with a solid four days at the Masters which eventually saw English finish in a tie for 21st.
Other names to consider from the outside bunch include Shane Lowry, Si Woo Kim, Charley Hoffman, Kevin Kisner and Ian Poulter. There is good depth to the field but what will it take to produce the winner of the 2021 RBC Heritage?
Our Betting Preview’s RBC Heritage Course & Betting Trends with Predictions & Picks Verdict
The links course at Harbour Town is the regular venue for a tournament which began life in 1969 as the Heritage Golf Classic. It has relatively modest length as a par 71 at a fraction under 7,100 yards but the course offers all the traditional links golf challenges. Moderate winds are enough to disrupt swings and thought processes while there could be some steady rain in play by the weekend.
Over the history of the RBC Heritage, multiple winners have been common: Davis Love III holds the overall record with five victories while nine other golfers have won at least twice. The last person to claim a double was Boo Weekley in 2008.
One player coming into the tournament with good form and some relative stats is Will Zalatoris. He currently ranks fifth on Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach to the Green and he is fourth in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green. Zalatoris also has a good mix of power and accuracy needed to succeed.
Those are useful stats for Harbour Town and we just need Zalatoris to remain focused after coming within one stroke of a first major win. If he responds positively to that disappointment, he can convert at excellent odds. So the RBC Heritage predictions for this preview are Will Zalatoris for the win plus three top 10 finish betting picks, which will hopefully all add up to a profitable four days at Hilton Head. These are the tips:
- Will Zalatoris to win @ best odds of 30/1 (+3000) with Bookmaker. Next best is +2800 (28/1) with BetOnline and then 25/1 with Bovada and Intertops.
- Take Zalatoris, Paul Casey, Harris English and Brian Harman for top 10 finishes. Bovada, BetOnline and Intertops will have top 10 betting lines shortly.
Matt Harris is a golf and soccer expert for USA Betting. His other area of specialist knowledge is cricket. He is well known in sports journalism and contributes articles to a plethora of big-name websites and media outlets. Titles that he writes or has written for include: Betfair, BetVictor, Unibet & Just Bookies.