2023 RBC Heritage First Round Leader Predictions, Picks: Can Collin Morikawa Start Fast?
After the Masters in Georgia last weekend, the PGA Tour is now headed to South Carolina for the RBC Heritage. Johnny Covers takes a closer look at how the RBC Heritage might get started on Thursday.
Johnny Covers - April 11, 2023, 9:50 AM EDT
6 min2023 RBC Heritage First Round Leader Predictions, Picks: Can Collin Morikawa Start Fast?
The drive from Augusta, Georgia, to the Lowcountry of South Carolina has been identified as a designated corridor of unwinding immediately after the Masters for the bulk of the last 40 years. The same exhale can be enjoyed once more by the 47 players who competed at Augusta National last week that are in the field this week.
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The RBC Heritage is the season's ninth official competition, featuring $20 million in prize money and a nearly $4 million top prize to the winner. Despite only being able to accommodate 132 golfers, as of Monday, 143 golfers have committed to competing.
It's also worth noting that all 55 iterations of the competition have taken place at Harbour Town Golf Course on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Let’s take a closer look at how the 56th might get started on Thursday.
RBC Heritage Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Dates: April 13 - April 16, 2023
- Where: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, SC
- Where to Watch: Golf Channel, CBS, ESPN+, Paramount+
Click here for RBC Heritage odds
The RBC Heritage First Round Leader Predictions
Collin Morikawa (+3500) Bet $100 to collect $3,600 Get the best odds at DraftKings; click here to bet
For Collin Morikawa, 2023 has been an odd year, to say the least, thus far. He has had five top-thirteen finishes in his seven-stroke play starts, along with two missed cuts. Despite the positive performances, he hasn't been seriously in the mix since the season opener at Kapalua, where he regrettably blew a sizable lead on Sunday's back nine.
Players who have advanced far in the Masters' field over the years have had difficulty turning a victory at the RBC Heritage the following week. Players had to play up to 30 holes on Sunday at this year's Masters, and they also had to contend with rain and wind for the majority of the week. As a result, this week, I favor athletes who did not exert the necessary mental and physical effort to compete all the way to the finals of a major event, with Morikawa fitting that bill.
Shane Lowry (+4500) Bet $100 to collect $4,600 Get the best odds at DraftKings; click here to bet
One of Shane Lowry's all-time favorite PGA Tour courses is, without a doubt Harbour Town. He's placed in the top 10 three times, including third twice, in his last four starts there. The Irishman finished third here last year despite placing highly at the Masters the week before was encouraging as well.
Lowry has been playing well lately, and his 16th-place finish at the Masters was another impressive performance. Although he played superbly on his approach shots, his putter has been holding him back. The former Open Champion has never lost strokes putting at Harbour Town, so perhaps there is something about these greens that he likes.
In a week where some of the best players may have withdrawn or are lacking motivation, Lowry, one of the finest players in the world on Pete Dye designs, should be able to capitalize early.
JT Poston (+6000) Bet $100 to collect $6,100 Get the best odds at DraftKings; click here to bet
In four appearances at Harbour Town, JT Poston has connected for three top-10 finishes. Expectations for another this week are elevated by recent form, and at a course, he knows well, expect a hot start.
The RBC Heritage First Round Leader Picks
- Collin Morikawa (+3500) Bet $100 to collect $3,600
- Shane Lowry (+4500) Bet $100 to collect $4,600
- JT Poston (+6000) Bet $100 to collect $6,100
