RBC Heritage

The RBC Heritage, known for much of its history as the Heritage Classic or simply the Heritage, is a PGA Tour event in South Carolina, first played 52 years ago in 1969.[2] It is currently played in mid-April, the week after The Masters in Augusta, Georgia.

"MCI Classic" redirects here. For the bus model of the same name, see Classic (transit bus).
RBC Heritage
Tournament information
LocationHilton Head Island,
South Carolina
Established1969, 52 years ago
Course(s)Harbour Town Golf Links
Par71
Length7,099 yards (6,491 m)[1]
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fund$7.1 million
Month playedApril
(June in 2020)
Tournament record score
Aggregate262 Webb Simpson (2020)
To par−22 Webb Simpson (2020)
Current champion
Webb Simpson
Hilton Head 
Location in the United States
Hilton Head 
Location in South Carolina

The venue for its entire existence has been the Harbour Town Golf Links at the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island. The Harbour Town course, which frequently appears on several "Best Courses" lists, was designed by famed golf course architect Pete Dye, with assistance from Jack Nicklaus. In 1972, the first two rounds were played on both the Harbour Town Golf Links and the Ocean course at Sea Pines, with the final two rounds at Harbour Town.

Originally played in late November,[3] it moved to mid-September in 1973, March in 1974, and April in 1983. The inaugural champion in 1969 was forty-year-old Arnold Palmer, his first win in over a year.[2][3] Course co-designer Nicklaus won in 1975,[4] two weeks before his fifth Masters win. Davis Love III leads with five victories in the event, Hale Irwin has three, and eight others have won twice.

From 1987 through 2010, it was sponsored either by MCI (under both the "MCI" and "WorldCom" names) or its eventual purchaser, Verizon. The tournament operated without a title sponsor in 2011,[5] and the Royal Bank of Canada has been the title sponsor of The Heritage since 2012.[6] It is currently organized by The Heritage Classic Foundation.[7]

Course
Main article: Harbour Town Golf Links
Hole123456789Out101112131415161718InTotal
Yards4105024692005494191954733323,5494514364303731925884341744723,5507,099
Par454354344364444354343571

Source:[1]

  • The course length at the inaugural event in 1969 was 6,655 yards (6,085 m).[3]

Invitational status

The Heritage is one of only five tournaments given "invitational" status by the PGA Tour,[8] and consequently it has a reduced field of only 132 players (as opposed to most full-field open tournaments with a field of 156 players). The other four tournaments with invitational status are the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Charles Schwab Challenge, the Memorial Tournament, and the Genesis Invitational. Invitational tournaments have smaller fields (between 120 and 132 players), and have more freedom than full-field open tournaments in determining which players are eligible to participate in their event, as invitational tournaments are not required to fill their fields using the PGA Tour Priority Ranking System. Furthermore, unlike full-field open tournaments, invitational tournaments do not offer open qualifying (aka Monday qualifying).

Field

The field consists of 132 players invited using the following criteria:[9]

  1. RBC Heritage winners prior to 2000 and in the last five years
  2. U.S. Open or PGA Championship winners prior to 2005 playing 15 events in prior year
  3. The Players Championship and major championship winners in the last five years
  4. The Tour Championship and World Golf Championships winners in the past three years
  5. Winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Memorial Tournament in the past three years
  6. Prior year U.S. Amateur winner (if still amateur)
  7. Winner FedEx Cup in the last five years
  8. Playing member of last named U.S. Ryder Cup team; current PGA Tour members who were playing members on last named European Ryder Cup team, U.S. Presidents Cup team, and International Presidents Cup team
  9. Top 50 Official World Golf Ranking through two weeks prior to the commitment deadline
  10. 8 sponsors exemptions – 2 from Web.com Tour finals, 2 members not otherwise exempt, and 4 unrestricted
  11. Commissioner exemption - 2 foreign players
  12. PGA Section (Carolinas) champion/player of the year
  13. Career Money Exemption
  14. Life members
  15. Top 125 from prior year's FedEx Cup points list, including top 125 (medical)
  16. Members in the top 125 non-member category whose non-WGC points equal or exceed the points by the player finishing in 125th on the prior year FedEx Cup points list
  17. Tournament winners (PGA Tour eligibility category 10)[10]
  18. Top 20 on current FedEx Cup points list through Friday prior to the tournament
  19. Next five available players not otherwise eligible from current year's FedEx Cup points list
  20. Remaining positions filled using standard PGA Tour eligibility ranking after top 125 non-member category

Playing history

The tournament has been played in the month of

  • November (1969–72)
  • September (1973)
  • March (1974–82) - usually two weeks before the Masters Tournament
  • April (1983–2019) - usually the week after the Masters Tournament
  • June (2020) - Originally scheduled for April, but eventually rescheduled to June due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Winners
YearWinnerCountryScoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner(s)-upWinner's
share ($)		Purse ($)
RBC Heritage
2020[lower-alpha 1]Webb Simpson United States262−221 stroke Abraham Ancer1,278,0007,100,000
2019Pan Cheng-tsung Taiwan272−121 stroke Matt Kuchar1,242,0006,900,000
2018Satoshi Kodaira Japan272−12Playoff Kim Si-woo1,206,0006,700,000
2017Wesley Bryan United States271−131 stroke Luke Donald1,170,0006,500,000
2016Branden Grace South Africa275−92 strokes Luke Donald
Russell Knox		1,062,0005,900,000
2015Jim Furyk (2) United States266−18Playoff Kevin Kisner1,062,0005,900,000
2014Matt Kuchar United States273−111 stroke Luke Donald1,044,0005,800,000
2013Graeme McDowell Northern Ireland275−9Playoff Webb Simpson1,044,0005,800,000
2012Carl Pettersson Sweden270−145 strokes Zach Johnson1,026,0005,700,000
The Heritage
2011Brandt Snedeker United States272−12Playoff Luke Donald1,026,0005,700,000
Verizon Heritage
2010Jim Furyk United States271−13Playoff Brian Davis1,026,0005,700,000
2009Brian Gay United States264−2010 strokes Briny Baird
Luke Donald		1,026,0005,700,000
2008Boo Weekley (2) United States269−153 strokes Aaron Baddeley
Anthony Kim		990,0005,500,000
2007Boo Weekley United States270−141 stroke Ernie Els972,0005,400,000
2006Aaron Baddeley Australia269−151 stroke Jim Furyk954,0005,300,000
MCI Heritage
2005Peter Lonard Australia277−72 strokes Billy Andrade
Darren Clarke
Jim Furyk
Davis Love III		936,0005,200,000
2004Stewart Cink (2) United States274−10Playoff Ted Purdy864,0004,800,000
2003Davis Love III (5) United States271−13Playoff Woody Austin810,0004,500,000
WorldCom Classic - The Heritage of Golf
2002Justin Leonard United States270−141 stroke Heath Slocum720,0004,000,000
2001José Cóceres Argentina273−11Playoff Billy Mayfair630,0003,500,000
MCI Classic
2000Stewart Cink United States270−142 strokes Tom Lehman540,0003,000,000
1999Glen Day United States274−10Playoff Jeff Sluman
Payne Stewart		450,0002,500,000
1998Davis Love III (4) United States266−187 strokes Glen Day342,0001,900,000
1997Nick Price Zimbabwe269−156 strokes Brad Faxon
Jesper Parnevik		270,0001,500,000
1996Loren Roberts United States265−193 strokes Mark O'Meara252,0001,400,000
1995Bob Tway United States275−9Playoff David Frost
Nolan Henke		234,0001,300,000
MCI Heritage Golf Classic
1994Hale Irwin (3) United States266−182 strokes Greg Norman225,0001,250,000
1993David Edwards United States273−112 strokes David Frost202,5001,125,000
1992Davis Love III (3) United States269−154 strokes Chip Beck180,0001,000,000
1991Davis Love III (2) United States271−132 strokes Ian Baker-Finch180,0001,000,000
1990Payne Stewart (2) United States276−8Playoff Steve Jones
Larry Mize		180,0001,000,000
1989Payne Stewart United States268−165 strokes Kenny Perry144,000800,000
1988Greg Norman Australia271−131 stroke David Frost
Gil Morgan		126,000700,000
1987Davis Love III United States271−131 stroke Steve Jones117,000650,000
Sea Pines Heritage
1986Fuzzy Zoeller (2) United States276−81 stroke Chip Beck
Roger Maltbie
Greg Norman		81,000450,000
1985Bernhard Langer West Germany273−11Playoff Bobby Wadkins72,000400,000
1984Nick Faldo England270−141 stroke Tom Kite72,000400,000
1983Fuzzy Zoeller United States275−92 strokes Jim Nelford63,000350,000
1982Tom Watson (2) United States280−4Playoff Frank Conner54,000300,000
1981Bill Rogers United States278−61 stroke Bruce Devlin
Hale Irwin
Gil Morgan
Craig Stadler		54,000300,000
1980Doug Tewell United States280−4Playoff Jerry Pate54,000300,000
Sea Pines Heritage Classic
1979Tom Watson United States270−145 strokes Ed Sneed54,000300,000
Heritage Classic
1978Hubert Green (2) United States277−73 strokes Hale Irwin45,000225,000
1977Graham Marsh Australia273−111 stroke Tom Watson45,000225,000
Sea Pines Heritage Classic
1976Hubert Green United States274−105 strokes Jerry McGee43,000215,000
1975Jack Nicklaus United States271−133 strokes Tom Weiskopf40,000200,000
1974Johnny Miller (2) United States276−83 strokes Gibby Gilbert40,000200,000
1973Hale Irwin (2) United States272−125 strokes Jerry Heard
Grier Jones		30,000150,000
1972Johnny Miller United States281−31 stroke Tom Weiskopf25,000125,000
1971Hale Irwin United States279−51 stroke Bob Lunn22,000110,000
Heritage Golf Classic
1970Bob Goalby United States280−44 strokes Lanny Wadkins20,000100,000
1969Arnold Palmer United States283−13 strokes Richard Crawford
Bert Yancey		20,000100,000
  1. The tournament was originally canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[11] before being reinstated with a revised date.[12]

Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Source[13][14]

Multiple winners

Ten men have won this tournament more than once through 2019.

Highlights
  • 1969: Arnold Palmer wins the inaugural edition of the tournament. He finishes three shots ahead of Richard Crawford and Bert Yancey.[15]
  • 1971: Future three-time U.S. Open Champion, Hale Irwin, makes Heritage his first ever PGA Tour victory. He beats Bob Lunn by one shot.[16]
  • 1976: Hubert Green wins by five shots over Jerry McGee. It was Green's third consecutive win in as many weeks.[17]
  • 1980: George Archer sets a PGA Tour record for fewest putts in a 72-hole tournament, 94. The previous mark was 99 set by Bob Menne.[18] Kenny Knox would subsequently break Archer's record at the 1989 MCI Heritage Golf Classic.[19]
  • 1984: Nick Faldo wins his first PGA Tour event by one shot over Tom Kite. He is the first Englishman to win on United States soil since Tony Jacklin at the 1972 Greater Jacksonville Open.[20]
  • 1987: Davis Love III wins by one shot over Steve Jones. Jones had come to the 72nd hole leading by one but made a double bogey after his tee shot went out of bounds.[21]
  • 1990: Payne Stewart becomes the first Heritage champion to successfully defend his title. He beats Larry Mize and Steve Jones in a sudden death playoff.[22]
  • 1994: Hale Irwin collects his 20th overall and last PGA Tour win at Harbour Town. He wins by two shots over Greg Norman.[23]
  • 1998: Davis Love III becomes the first four-time Heritage winner. He wins by seven shots over Glen Day. Day would avenge his loss the next season for his only PGA Tour win.[24]
  • 2003: Davis Love III wins his fifth Heritage by defeating Woody Austin in a sudden death playoff. To get in the playoff, Love chipped in from off the green at the 72nd hole.[25]
  • 2005: Peter Lonard wins by two shots over Darren Clarke, Jim Furyk, Billy Andrade, and Davis Love III. Clarke was tied for the lead when teeing off on the 72nd hole, but like Steve Jones did in 1987, he hit his tee shot out of bounds and made double bogey.[26] David Frost breaks Mark Calcavecchia's record of 93 putts in a 72-hole tournament by hitting only 92 putts.[27]
  • 2007 Boo Weekley chips in on the last two holes for his first ever PGA Tour victory. He wins by one shot over Ernie Els.[28]
  • 2010: Jim Furyk defeats Brian Davis in a sudden death playoff. On the first playoff hole, Davis calls a two-shot penalty on himself after he touched a loose impediment in a hazard with his golf club.[29]
  • 2013: A PGA Tour record-tying 91 players make the 36-hole cut, (a record set at the 1981 Greater Hartford Open). Jesper Parnevik bogeyed the 18th hole, giving Parnevik and 21 additional golfers entry into the third round.[30]

References
  1. "Course: RBC Heritage". PGA Tour. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  2. "Arnie wins 1st tourney in 15 months". Chicago Tribune. UPI. December 1, 1969. p. 4, sec. 3.
  3. "Comeback of the year: Palmer ends long slump". St. Petersburg Times. (Florida). Associated Press. December 1, 1969. p. 1C.
  4. "Nicklaus gets into swing; wins Heritage by three". Chicago Tribune. wire services. March 31, 1975. p. 1, sec. 4.
  5. "2011 PGA Tour schedule" (Press release). PGA Tour. December 2, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  6. "RBC named as new title sponsor of Heritage". PGA Tour. June 16, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  7. The Heritage Classic Foundation - Overview Archived 2013-10-10 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Did you know?: True tales from the RBC Heritage". March 27, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  9. "2015–16 PGA Tour Player Handbook & Tournament Regulations" (PDF). October 5, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 12, 2016.
  10. "2015-2016 PGA Tour Eligibility Ranking". Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  11. "PGA Tour statement regarding additional tournament cancellations". PGA Tour. March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  12. "PGA Tour announces schedule adjustments for remainder of 2019-20 FedExCup season, releases fall portion of 2020-21 PGA Tour Regular Season schedule". PGA Tour. April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  13. RBC Heritage – Winners – at pgatour.com
  14. RBC Heritage – Winners – at golfobserver.com
  15. Arnold Palmer wins Heritage Golf Classic
  16. Hale Irwin Takes Heritage With Record Five Under Par
  17. Green Makes Heritage Third Straight
  18. Tewell, Pate, meet again
  19. There's lots of gain for Payne as he wins Heritage Classic
  20. Faldo rises to Kite's challenge to win
  21. Jones out of bounds-Love steps in
  22. 30-foot putt lifts Stewart in Heritage
  23. Late charge gives Irwin Heritage win
  24. Heritage winner surprises everyone
  25. Love affair: Davis wins 5th Heritage
  26. Peter Lonard Beats Clarke on Final Hole for Heritage Golf Title
  27. Kelley, Brent. "Fewest Putts in a PGA Tour Tournament". About.com. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  28. Weekley Wins the Heritage
  29. Jim Furyk hails Brian Davis' sportsmanship at Verizon Heritage
  30. Gray, Will (April 20, 2013). "Record number of players make 36-hole Heritage cut". Golf Channel. Retrieved November 22, 2020.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.