Scheffler’s shot at history: 5 wild facts about the RBC Heritage and its enduring Harbour Town curse
The high of Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory has undoubtedly given everyone the golf bug, with his career Grand Slam-winning Sunday epitomising all that we love about the sport.
And fear not, while it’ll be another year until we see action back at Augusta National, the procession of some of the PGA Tour’s most storied events resumes.
This week is the turn of RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, host of round 15 of the 2025 PGA Tour season.
The iconic par-71 in South Carolina delivers a strategic test that rewards precision over power. It was first played in 1969, becoming a beloved stop on the calendar and the follow-up to the chaos of the Masters.
Scottie Scheffler backed up his 2024 Green Jacket with a win at RBC Heritage the following week, but the absence of Rory McIlroy means we won’t see a repeat of the feat.
As the field again chases the prize of a coveted jacket, here are five things you may not have known about the event from the south…
Course is a throwback
Harbour Town is one of the shorter courses on the PGA Tour schedule, but that doesn’t at all mean it’s easy…
Narrow fairways, sharp doglegs and intimidating trees force players to meticulously think every shot and over-aggression can often come back to bite.
Power players and corner cutters simply can’t overpower the course – creativity and course management prevail at RBC Heritage.
In an age where power often dominates, the course is a refreshing throwback that favours accuracy and finesse.
The tartan plaid jacket is iconic
The champion at RBC Heritage is awarded a tartan plaid jacket.
The tradition is a nod to the region’s Scottish links inspired heritage with the jacket presentation ceremony a perfect way to finish.
Set against the Harbour Town lighthouse, the jacket presentation is a truly picturesque end to the week.
Arnold Palmer kick-started the event in style
The RBC Heritage debuted in 1969 with the champion of the inaugural title none other than Arnold Palmer.
Palmer’s victory ended a 14-month title drought and gave instant recognition to the event, which has become a staple on the PGA Tour year on year.
His victory put Pete Dye’s Harbour Town Golf Links on the map as a world-class golfing venue.
Putting surfaces don’t leave you much of a target
Precision is rewarded at Harbour Town, and this rule especially applies to approach shots.
The greens at the venue average just over 300 square metres and are among the smallest on the PGA Tour. There’s little room for error, and missing in the wrong spot leaves players facing tough up and downs from tight lies, pot bunkers and run off areas.
Contenders will simply have to be dialled in with their irons and get crafty around the greens, it’s one of the reasons the leaderboard often favours players renowned for their control.
No player has ever defended their RBC Heritage title
A fact that surprises even avid golf fans: no player has ever defended their RBC Heritage title.
In 2024, Scheffler added his name to the winners’ list, collecting the title with immense precision and clinical execution. It was his fourth victory in five starts off the back of a Masters win, a stretch of dominance that had not been seen in years.
With McIlroy not in the field, the World No.1 returns in 2025 with the mission of breaking RBC Heritage’s most enduring curse.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy’s magical Masters: the key moments as told in his own words