Golf

RBC Heritage 2026: Henley To Profit In McIlroy’s Absence?

8 hours ago

| BY Sam Cox

Played at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, the RBC Heritage is one of the shortest courses on the PGA Tour. Big hitters are not rewarded as significantly as they are at many other venues.

Land a putt and land a punt at William Hill – bet on the 2026 RBC Heritage here

Scottie Scheffler, after going bogey-free across the weekend at the Masters, opens as the overwhelming golf betting favourite. Masters champion Rory McIlroy is sitting this one out, leaving Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick as Scheffler’s biggest rivals.

2026 RBC Heritage Odds:

Scottie Scheffler – 7/2
Xander Schauffele – 12/1
Matt Fitzpatrick – 14/1
Cameron Young – 16/1
Russell Henley – 16/1
Tommy Fleetwood – 18/1
Patrick Cantlay – 18/1

Precision and shot shaping are more important than ball speed and driver distance. Small greens at Harbour Town mean success is dependent on hitting fairways regularly – accuracy off the tee is far more important than an extra 20 yards.

It’s worth noting, too, that this Signature Event has generally been a happy hunting ground for major winners. The last six champions have been former major winners.

Players to Fade

Cameron Young (16/1) has reeled off three consecutive top three finishes, but he’s got a woeful recent record in Hilton Head (outside the top 50 in the last three years) and ranks poorly as a putter. The American was largely accurate off the tee at Augusta National, but his driver hasn’t always been trustworthy over the last 12 months.

Justin Thomas has desperately struggled for consistency off the tee since returning from injury. The 18/5 price on a top 10 finish is nowhere near long enough with what we’ve seen from Thomas of late, despite his win at this event in 2025.

A 3/1 price on a top 10 finish isn’t long enough for Robert MacIntyre after his calamitous showing at the Masters. The Scot’s abysmal approach play at Augusta is fresh in the memory – he’s finished 59th and 66th in his previous appearances at this event.

RBC Heritage Value Picks

Russell Henley

Russell Henley was back to his best at the Masters. He earned a career-best joint-third at Augusta and threatened for the Green Jacket for a while on Sunday. Fifth in driving accuracy and in the top 10 in approach play, Henley is one of the shorter hitters on tour, but that plays into his favour this weekend.

Initial struggles at Harbour Town have waned. Henley has been in the top 20 four times in the last five years and should have really boosted his confidence with a strong Masters showing. The 12/1 price to win outright is well worth backing each-way.

Si Woo Kim

Eighth in this event last year and runner-up in 2018, Si Woo Kim is second in driving accuracy over the last three months. Kim didn’t have his best weekend at the Masters, but he tied for 10th at the Texas Open, making it eight finishes of 13th or better since the RSM Classic.

The accuracy when driving is key to Kim’s chances on a tight course. Also an elite approach player, the Korean has the game to succeed this weekend. He’s a legitimate contender to win the event if he drains his putts.

Patrick Cantlay

It’s been easy to forget about Patrick Cantlay. It’s nearing four years since his last title, and he was solid without catching the eye at the Valspar Championship and the Masters.

His record at this event is astonishing, though. He’s been top three five times in eight appearances, plus has recorded top-13 finishes in seven of those eight starts.

Cantlay was brilliant around the green at Augusta. His approach play has been stellar in the last two tournaments. This course is all about putting yourself in the right spots – Cantlay can do that. He’s a great bet at 11/2 to finish in the top five.

J.T. Poston

J.T. Poston is far from a household name. What Poston has in his favour, though, is a sensational record on this course. Forget about missing three cuts and failing to finish in the top 20 since the RSM Classic.

Poston has five top 20 finishes in the last seven years in this event and has finished in the top 10 on four occasions. We think he’s best value at 7/4 given his poor form over the last six months, but don’t write-off the 9/2 on a top 10 placing.

Jake Knapp

Jake Knapp to finish in the top 20 has become a reliable wager. Knapp has been the best putter in the world of late and sits behind only Scheffler in shots gained in 2026.

The Players Championship (missed cut) is the only event he’s finished lower than 11th in his last eight appearances – at 5/4, Knapp to place in the top 20 is sensational value.