RBC Heritage Recap: Plaid Glory at Harbour Town!

Author

Chris H
April 21, 2025

Hey Golf Strategy Zone Crew,

I had a rough last few days so struggled to get this out. I got bit by something and was just getting exhausted at around 2:30/3pm each day the last few days. I’m feeling better this morning though.

Fresh off the Masters, the PGA TOUR rolled into Hilton Head Island for the 2025 RBC Heritage, and Harbour Town Golf Links delivered a plaid-tastic show! From clutch putts to a thrilling playoff, this Signature Event was a masterclass in precision and heart. Grab your tartan jacket, and let’s recap the action with our signature mix of fun and strategy to elevate your golf game. Here we go!

The Big Picture: Justin Thomas Steals the Show

I’m so happy for JT. Ever since becoming a dad (almost 7 months ago now) I’ve become a sucker for rooting for the new dads. He’s also had a pretty rough go at things lately from the tourney’s i’ve watched him in.

The 2025 RBC Heritage was a battle of grit and finesse, with Justin Thomas emerging victorious at -17, claiming his 16th PGA TOUR title in a dramatic playoff against Andrew Novak. The iconic Pete Dye-designed Harbour Town (par 71, 7,213 yards) tested the 72-player field with tight fairways and tiny greens, rewarding accuracy over power.

What happened with Si Woo Kim? I did hear the announcers at one point yesterday mention how no one who has led going into Sunday wins. CURSES!? Who knows. The course looked difficult and I know I’d have launched a bunch of balls into the water.

Highlight Reel: Moments That Lit Up Harbour Town

  1. JT’s Playoff Heroics
    Thomas tied the course record with a blistering 61 on Thursday and stayed in the hunt all week. In the playoff, his 21-foot birdie on the 18th was a mic-drop moment, ending a three-year winless drought since the 2022 PGA Championship. Strategy Tip: Trust your game under pressure—JT’s focus on the next shot is a lesson for us all.

  2. Andrew Novak’s Breakout Bid
    The up-and-comer went toe-to-toe with Thomas, rolling in a 16-footer on No. 16 to tie the lead late. His missed 8-foot birdie on the 72nd hole forced the playoff, but Novak’s poise signals big things ahead. Strategy Tip: Stay aggressive on makeable putts—Novak’s fearless stroke is a model for your game.

  3. Scottie Scheffler’s Steady Chase
    The World No. 1 and defending champ finished at -11, four shots back, but his Saturday 63 reminded us why he’s a Harbour Town beast. Strategy Tip: Play to your strengths—Scheffler’s fairway-finding was textbook on this tight track.

A few of the guys seemed like something was up, like a heavy energy or something. Who knows, maybe I’m making stuff up because I haven’t had my coffee yet.

Final Leaderboard Snapshot

POS.

PLAYER

EARNINGS

1

Justin Thomas

$3,600,000

2

Andrew Novak

$2,160,000

T3

Daniel Berger

$1,040,000

T3

Mackenzie Hughes

$1,040,000

T3

Brian Harman

$1,040,000

6

Maverick McNealy

$720,000

7

Tommy Fleetwood

$670,000

T8

Scottie Scheffler

$580,000

Uh oh… my daughter is starting to wake up so time to end this email.

I hope you have a terrific week.

What’s Next? Zurich Classic of New Orleans

The PGA TOUR heads to TPC Louisiana in Avondale, LA, for the Zurich Classic (April 24-27, 2025), the only team event on the schedule. This par-72, 7,425-yard Pete Dye design hosts 80 two-man teams competing for a $8.9 million purse (with $1.28 million per player for the winners) and 400 FedExCup points each. Defending champs Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are back, fresh off Rory’s Masters win. Other top duos include Scottie Scheffler/Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay, and Collin Morikawa/Sahith Theegala.

  • Format: Teams play Four-ball (best ball) in Rounds 1 and 3, and Foursomes (alternate shot) in Rounds 2 and 4. The top 33 teams (and ties) make the cut after 36 holes.

  • Why It’s Fun: The team dynamic brings out wild shots, big laughs, and epic celebrations. Expect McIlroy and Lowry to lean into their Irish charm!

  • Watch It: Catch the action on Golf Channel (Thu-Fri, 3-6 p.m. ET; Sat-Sun, 1-3 p.m. ET) and CBS (Sat-Sun, 3-6 p.m. ET). Stream on ESPN+ or NBCSports.com.

Strategy Nugget: In team play, chemistry is king. Pick a partner whose strengths complement yours—think McIlroy’s power paired with Lowry’s short-game wizardry.

Talk soon,

PS - I just saw Amazon has 46% off this range finder but I’m not sure how long the deal lasts. It’s one of those “Limited Time Deals” they run.