The Masters just never disappoints and this past weekend was fantastic display of drama. I really wish I would have had exposure to Patrick Reed, but I've put my weight behind him in the past and I've been burned. This time he didn't leave any doubt that he was the best player on the course this weekend. It was weird to watch though because it just never seemed like the crowd was behind him. It almost seemed like it was an anyone but Patrick crowd, especially when you heard that roar at 18 when Rickie sank his putt to get to 14 under and force Reed to par. I'll be a little melancholy over the next week knowing that I've gotta wait another year to see Augusta National once again.
The RBC Heritage at the Harbour Town Golf Links is not known as a marquee event on the PGA Tour because of its place on the Tour schedule right after the Masters. Most of the big names take a break after Augusta which means the field is usually weak. While it may not mean a lot to the pros, it will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the first pro course I ever played. Not to brag or anything but I did stick it to within five feet from 150 yards out on the signature lighthouse 18th hole. That is a picture of me at 14 or 15 years old in front of the candy cane striped light along with the yacht-filled marina that provides direction to the tiny green that seems to jut into Calibogue Sound. I haven't played the course since that vacation with my family for various reasons and number one would be the cost. It has doubled in price since this photo was taken back in the mid-90s.
Harbour Town is not known for its length, sitting at just 7,101 yards but challenges these pros with narrow fairways and small contoured greens. This course plays to the smart golfer because of the strategic way you must attack the greens to give themselves birdie making opportunities. An errant tee shot will force players to navigate through hundreds of live oaks and pines which makes driving accuracy on top of the stats to target this week. Driving distance is a bonus but not vital to success at Harbour Town.
This course can hurt you in a bunch of different ways which means that scrambling should be another target statistic for building your lineups. This being a course with smaller than average contoured greens, placement on the greens is key to making birdies which means proximity becomes another target statistic. It probably does not need to be said at this point but I'll say it anyways, putting is always crucial. One of the first things I look at each week is whether a player current has a good handle on their putting stroke. The old phrase, "Drive for Show, Putt for Dough" could not be more true, week in and week out on the PGA Tour.
There is nothing I value, week in and week out, more than course history. A few players that stick out like a sore thumb at Harbour Town starting with Matt Kuchar. Nothing flashy about him except his price this week which is third to the top but I will try to get him into as many cash game lineups as possible. He also started strong at the Masters and faded over the weekend, look for him to take it out on Harbour Town.
I hope everyone enjoyed that new experience on DraftKings over the weekend. I'm still waiting to see if they'll continue it or bring it back for the U.S. Open. If it happens again, I’ll be sure to put out optimals once again.
Good luck everyone!
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