This article is part of our FanDuel PGA DFS Picks series.
RBC Heritage – Hilton Head, SC
Harbour Town Golf Links (7,099 yards, par 71)
$6.5M Purse
$1,062,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points to the winner
Tournament Preview
Annually positioned a week after the Masters Tournament, the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head is a welcome sabbatical for players unwinding after a pressure-packed major. However, don't think this is a just a stroll along the ocean. Harbour Town's red and white lighthouse – along with hopes for a tartan jacket – lies in the crosshairs as contenders grind through their 18th hole. Entrants in a semi-diluted field this week include Matt Kuchar, coming off a strong finish last week, defending champion Branden Grace, and two-time winner Jim Furyk. Harbour Town is one of the shortest courses on the PGA Tour at 7,099 yards, but is also among the narrowest, with fairways guarded by mature oaks and pines. It all adds up to a timeless test of nerves that are sure to hit their peak by Sunday.
Prior Decade Champions
2016 – Branden Grace
2015 – Jim Furyk
2014 – Matt Kuchar
2013 – Graeme McDowell
2012 – Carl Pettersson
2011 – Brandt Snedeker
2010 – Jim Furyk
2009 – Brian Gay
2008 – Boo Weekley
2007 – Boo Weekley
Key Stats to Winning at Harbour Town
• Driving accuracy
• GIR percentage
• Scrambling percentage
Champion's Profile
Unlike most other PGA Tour venues, Harbour Town grants no advantage to long hitters. Firstly, many holes force players to lay back with less than driver to the corners of doglegs. Secondly, when long hitters do hit driver and miss, their drives deviate further from the fairway than shorter hitters, which is a big problem on the tree-lined fairways of Harbour Town. Lastly is the presence of just one reachable par-5, which is accessible to everyone in the field. As a result, accurate drivers with great iron play have the advantage since birdie chances are hard to find on the tiny Harbour Town greens. When players get out of position it's very difficult to hold these greens from difficult angles, making scrambling percentage a big factor for the week. When you think about who can win here, Jim Furyk and Luke Donald are prototypes who fit the mold.
FanDuel Value Picks
The Chalk
Matt Kuchar, $10000 – Kuchar's momentous Sunday 67 at the Masters - including an ace on the 16th hole - should transfer into this week. It also helps to know Kuchar has made 12-of-13 cuts at Hilton Head and has notched a top-10 the last three years. He's as solid as they come with plenty of history to boot.
Branden Grace, $9400 – The South African has a win and tie for seventh in two starts at Hilton Head. He clearly likes the place. Grace will be among the elite players in the field this week as he defends his title.
Jim Furyk, $9200 – If the champion's profile were a picture instead of text, it would be none other than Mr. Furyk. Among the most accurate players on the PGA Tour, Furyk also possess elite iron play and scrambling. It's no surprise he has eight career top-10s here, including two victories.
Kevin Kisner, $8400 – Kisner is a steady driver of the golf ball who finished runner-up at Hilton Head in 2015. He's a good fit for this course and should be a good bet to make the cut and more.
Longer Shots Worth a Risk
Charley Hoffman, $8100 – Despite his weekend tumble down the leaderboard at the Masters, Hoffman is playing quite well right now. He has led the RBC Heritage on multiple occasions over the past few years, but has yet to close the deal. Hoffman might not win but he's more than capable of a great finish.
Russell Henley, $7900 – Henley has two missed cuts and two top-25s at Hilton Head, but with his recent win and T11 at the Masters last week, his chances of a top-25 are much better than an early exit.
Matthew Fitzpatrick, $7800 – The youngster tied for 32nd at the Masters last week, and posted a top-25 at Harbour Town back in 2014. Though he missed the cut here last year, he's an up-and-coming talent who is fourth in strokes gained: putting this season.
Billy Horschel, $7100 – Horschel is a good value this week with a perfect 4-for-4 on made cuts at Hilton Head. He should be well rested and hungry after not playing at last week's Masters.
Strategy Tips for this week (based on 60k standard salary cap)
With such a unique champion's profile this week, now is your chance to pick some accurate drivers and short-game artists who don't normally fit the typical medalist mold. With lower-than-normal salaries for studs it's a good idea to have a few, but there's plenty of opportunity for some mid-range players to play well and perhaps pickup their first PGA Tour victory in a diluted field this week.
