After such an exciting and eventful week at The Masters, it’s back to basics as the PGA Tour continues with the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Links, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Masters Round-Up
Before I continue I just want to mention, congratulations to Hideki Matsuyama on winning The Masters 2021, the first man from Japan to win a major, a moment to be proud off for the young talented 29 year old.
Also a massive shout out to Robert MacIntyre who done the whole of Scotland proud with 12th place, the best ever performance from a Scottish debutant. I was so happy to see Bob sink that tricky 10 footer on the 18th and final hole. He may not have known it at the time but he sure does now as it was vital, meaning he will now be back at next years Masters.
I just can’t stop watching and showing everyone his entrance to Augusta, driving up Magnolia Lane blasting The Gunna Sound Ceilidh Band then on his departure on Sunday he had the tunes blaring again, this time it was Oh Yes Sir, I Can Boogie. Absolutely tremendous stuff from the young Scot from Oban, we are all so proud of you Bob!
I did manage to pick a few winners but really shouldn’t have let my heart rule my head when selecting Rory McIlroy. He is simply just not firing on all cylinders but he’ll be back for sure.
World No.1 Dustin Johnson could not successfully defend his title as he barely put up a fight, not even making the weekend and way off the pace on 5 over par. I selected both Rory and DJ in MFTs fantasy Masters Competition with any winnings going to charity so I’ve put £10 aside for each of the two charities that meant so much to Mr F.
However I did manage to end the tournament in profit , thanks to my main selection and a few other tips including my nap;
- Justin Speith who finished T3rd at 12/1 EW ✅
- Cameron Smith to beat Webb Simpson 72 hole matchbet 10/11 Nap ✅
- Winning Score -13 or under 6/4 ✅
- Jordan Speith to beat Bernd Wiesberger & Patrick Reed to beat Jose Maria Olazabal. Saturdays two balls double 11/8 ✅
Well done to everyone that selected any winners last week and to the winners of our Fantasy Competition.
RBC Heritage
So moving on and back to this weeks action. I’ll post a preview tomorrow for The Austrian Open on The European Tour but in the meantime let’s focus on the RBC Heritage.
This tournament will be held on a links course, very unusual for an event on the PGA Tour.
The 135 field will be competing on this stunning Harbour Town, par 71 course for the $7.1million purse with the winner collecting the trophy and $1.2million.
Webb Simpson will return to defend the title that he won last year when seeing off Abraham Ancer by a single shot.
The weather is forecast to be cloudy throughout with the chance of some thunderstorms.
Matt Fitzpatrick
So let’s try pick some winners again this week, for my main selection I’m going to advise Matt Fitzpatrick 30/1EW Betfair.
The Englishman fared well at The Masters, finishing a respectable 34th although he would have wanted to do better, with some wayward shots on the scorecard. Fitzpatrick will be back playing golf on more familiar terrain this week and will feel much more at home on a links track where his excellent short game should give him an advantage over most in this field.
He also has a good record at this event, finishing 14th in two of the last three at Harbour Town.
He comes to this event bringing probably the best form of his career. The Englishman won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai back in December and since that victory he has finished in the Top 20 at six of the eight tournaments he has entered with three of those in the Top 10;
- 5th The Genesis Invitational
- 10th The Arnold Palmer Invitational
- 9th The Players Championship
I just feel that Matt Fitzpatrick will be more suited to conditions on this links set up and can follow up on his DP World Tour Championship success with a victory here at Harbour Town.
Shane Lowry
For my next selection I’m sticking with another golfer I think will be more suited to a links course and for that reason I’m going to select Shane Lowry 55/1EW Betfair.
The Irishman played some stunning golf at The Masters last week finishing in 21st place and if he can bring that form with him then he will certainly be a contender this week.
Lowry has not won since winning his major at The 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush back in 2019. He definitely enjoys links golf so this will suit the Irishman and his recent form especially on the PGA Tour has been consistent.
He was 8th at The Players Championship, described by many as the 5th major on the golfing calendar. Other notable contributions recently include 11th at the Houston Open, 13th at the BMW PGA Championship and 6th at the WGC Fed Ex St Jude Invitational.
Lowry was ranked 11th greens in regulation at Augusta last week and if he produces those figures here then this will surely put him in contention to claim his first victory in almost two years.
Stuart Cink
For my next selection I’m going way up the field in the markets and I’m going to look for some good old value and therefore single out Stuart Cink 150/1 EW Bet365.
The 47 year old American had an absolutely amazing Masters, finishing T12th last week at Augusta. If he can bring this form with him to Harbour Town then the 150/1 on offer looks huge.
It’s not just his Masters form I’m looking at, the week before he finished inside the Top 20 at the Honda Classic finishing 19th. The American was also 19th at the Sony Open in Hawaii and 4th at the Bermuda Championship, even more reason to suggest he could be hitting a rich vein of form. The firms may have overlooked this when pricing the markets.
Remember Stuart Cink has links form to boast about when winning his only major back in 2009 at The 138th Open Championship on the Alisa Course at Turnberry in Ayrshire where I was a spectator for the weekend.
With most firms offering 8 places at the RBC Heritage then Cink could represent decent each way value.
I’m also going to squeeze him in for a Top 20 finish 6/1 Bet365.
Charley Hoffman v Chris Kirk
For my final pick I’m going for a 72 matchbet and I’m choosing Charley Hoffman to get the better off Chris Kirk 10/11 Nap Bet365.
Fitzpatrick, Na, and Kisner for me.
Great write up, once again Caddy, My tip has to be the form man Zalatoris e/w @28/1, 8 places. gl 😉
Going for matt kuchar 50/1 e/w and first round leader 75/1 e/w ,also top ten finish 5/1,he loves this course and I expect a strong showing.
Irrespective of how tournament pans out, Cink write up and selection top class.