RBC Heritage Betting Picks: Collin Morikawa Sharp Iron Play Worth Backing

Now Rahm will lead another loaded field into the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. This tournament is classified by the PGA Tour as an elevated designated event with a $20 million prize purse. With the goal of getting the top players to compete against each other at more tournaments, the PGA TOUR increased the purses at the new designated events. The top 20 of the 2022 Player Impact Program are required to play in the elevated events they are eligible to play in, but players are also allowed to skip one during the year. 

McIlroy Withdraws, Zalatoris Out for Season

Despite the new requirements for players, the tournament will be without world No. 3 Rory McIlroy, who withdrew on Monday without specifying any reason. McIlroy missed the cut at the Masters, which was his sixth start in the last nine weeks. This is the second missed designated event of the year for McIlroy, who also did not compete in the Sentry Tournament of Champions. McIlroy could be at risk of losing some of his Player Impact Program money as a penalty for not playing in the designated event. 

Will Zalatoris, the No. 8-ranked player in the world, will also miss the RBC Heritage and the remaining of the PGA TOUR season. Zalatoris announced he is undergoing back surgery. He withdrew from the Masters due to his ailing back. 

"After careful consideration and seeking multiple medical opinions, I underwent a successful microdiscectomy on Saturday," Zalatoris said on Instagram. "As much as I hate not being able to play the rest of this season, I am happy that I am already seeing the benefits of the procedure. Playing and living in pain is not fun. I look forward to making a full recovery and seeing everyone in the fall.”

RBC Heritage Pick: Collin Morikawa +1800 DraftKings

Precision is the key at Harbour Town. The par-71 course measures just 7,121 yards and is more narrow with smaller greens compared to what we saw at the Masters with Augusta National. This means players who can be accurate off the tee and with their approaches into the greens will have an advantage.

One player who has exceeded in both of these categories is Collin Morikawa. The British Open champion ranks second on the tour this season in strokes gained: approach (1.095) and is fourth in shots gained: tee-to-green (1.725). 

Morikawa also enters in good form having recorded a T-10 finish at the Masters. His last two outings at this event have also been strong. He finished T-26 last year with 1.90 strokes gained: approach and was even better in 2021, finishing T-7 while gaining 2.00 strokes on approach. 

Recent form and the course’s profile make Morikawa a worthy golf bet this weekend.