2026 RBC Heritage Begins with Scheffler Favorite

The 2026 RBC Heritage begins Thursday at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, drawing a star-studded field of 82 players for the PGA Tour's fourth Signature Event of the season, just one week after Rory McIlroy's historic repeat victory at the Masters.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters as the betting favorite at 4-1 odds, fresh off a strong showing at Augusta National where he finished one stroke behind McIlroy. The limited-field tournament, which carries a $20 million purse and awards $3.6 million to the winner, features no cut line, allowing all entrants to compete through Sunday. Defending champion Justin Thomas returns to the par-71 layout measuring 7,243 yards, where he claimed the title last year with a 20-foot birdie putt in a playoff against Andrew Novak. Other top contenders include 2023 winner Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele, both at 15-1 odds, along with Russell Henley and FedEx Cup leader Cameron Young at 16-1.

Notable absences mark the event, including McIlroy, who is skipping it for the second straight year to rest after completing his career Grand Slam. The Northern Irishman has played Harbour Town only twice, finishing tied for...