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Storylines for the RBC Heritage: Scottie Scheffler back in peak form
Scottie Scheffler. Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Storylines for the RBC Heritage: Scottie Scheffler back in peak form

The Masters has come and gone, but the PGA Tour keeps on rolling this week with another Signature Event at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links. Let's break down the juiciest storylines for South Carolina's premier golf tournament. 

Scottie Scheffler is poised for another win

Scheffler struggled with his iron play leading up to the Masters, but he looked more like his dominant self throughout the weekend at Augusta National Golf Club. The World No. 1 ranked third in the field in strokes gained on approach and first in strokes gained from tee to green en route to a runner-up finish behind Rory McIlroy. 

In three previous starts at the RBC Heritage, Scheffler finished T11, win and T8. There's a reason he's a healthy betting favorite at +400 (FanDuel) to win with no McIlroy in the field. If the former champion plays like he did last week, the plaid jacket will be his again. 

Justin Thomas returns as the reigning champ

Thomas snapped his winless streak last year at the RBC Heritage by defeating Andrew Novak in a playoff. The two-time major champion returns to Harbour Town to defend his title, but it's hard to feel confident about his chances this week.

After undergoing a back procedure in the offseason, Thomas has returned to action and notched just one top-30 finish this season. His ball-striking is still rusty from a lack of tournament reps, but maybe a return to Hilton Head can kick-start his 2026 campaign. 

Jordan Spieth is brimming with confidence 

Spieth is coming off a T12 at the Masters, in which he ranked fifth in the field in strokes gained on approach. Even though he didn't contend for a win, the Texan said he's never struck the ball better at Augusta National.

"I hit it better than the year I won, and I hit it way better than any of the second places or fourths that I had," Spieth told reporters after his final round, per Cameron Jourdan of Golfweek. "Probably the best I’ve ever hit it here, and I typically putt these greens very well, so that part is a bit frustrating. Putting can be streaky, so just get on the right streak and go try to win next week."

Spieth has lost strokes with his putter in three of his last four starts, but he typically performs well on these greens at Harbour Town. His last PGA Tour win came at the RBC Heritage in 2022, and he's playing well enough to return to the winner's circle this week.

Cameron Young looks to bounce back from a disappointing Sunday at the Masters

After taking a two-stroke lead early in his final round at the Masters, Young made two sloppy bogeys and finished the day with nine straight pars to fall short of his first green jacket. It's not easy to get back to that competitive mindset just a few days after a mental grind like contending at a major championship. 

If Young can flush the heartbreak, he'll have a great chance to win this week. Over his last four starts, the 28-year-old has finished T7, T3, win and T3. He's gained a whopping 21.44 true strokes from off the tee and 21.48 true strokes on approach in that span, per Data Golf. No one is hitting it better than Young right now. 

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

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