RBC Heritage

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The inaugural champion in 1969 was forty-year-old Arnold Palmer, his first win in over a year. Course co-designer Jack Nicklaus won in 1975, two weeks before his fifth Masters win. Davis Love III leads with five victories in the event, Hale Irwin and Stewart Cink have three, while seven others have won twice. The tournament has seen dramatic finishes: in 1987, Davis Love III won by one shot over Steve Jones, who led by one shot at the 72nd tee but made a double bogey after his tee shot went out of bounds. In 2005, Peter Lonard won by two shots; Darren Clarke was tied for the lead when teeing off on the 72nd hole, but like Steve Jones did in 1987, he hit his tee shot out of bounds and made double bogey. In 2010, Jim Furyk defeated Brian Davis in a sudden death playoff after Davis called a two-shot penalty on himself for touching a loose impediment in a hazard with his golf club. In 2024, Scottie Scheffler became the first in 39 years to win the RBC Heritage after winning The Masters.

In Their Own Story

The sun dipped low over the Atlantic, casting long shadows across the fairway. A veteran player adjusted his grip on the driver, eyes fixed not just on the target, but on the white lighthouse looming near the green. The crowd hushed, a collective breath held in anticipation of the final shot. In this moment, the noise of the modern game faded, leaving only the rhythm of swing and wind. It was here, amidst the pines and salt air, that another chapter of golf history waited to be written.

Reader's Guide

The RBC Heritage has been played at Harbour Town Golf Links since its inception in 1969. Originally played in late November, it moved to mid-September in 1973, March in 1974, and April in 1983. Exceptionally, in 2020, it was postponed until June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament has had several sponsors: from 1987 through 2010, it was sponsored either by MCI (under both the 'MCI' and 'WorldCom' names) or its eventual purchaser, Verizon. The tournament operated without a title sponsor in 2011, and the Royal Bank of Canada has been the title sponsor since 2012. It is currently organized by The Heritage Classic Foundation. For the 2026 tournament, it will serve as the Tournament of Champions featuring all 2025 calendar year PGA Tour winners. The field consists of 70 or more invited players using criteria including the top 50 in the previous year's FedEx Cup Standings, top 10 in the current year FedEx Cup standings as of the Masters, and current year PGA Tour winners.

Did You Know?

• The course length at the inaugural event in 1969 was 6,655 yards.
• In 1980, George Archer set a PGA Tour record for fewest putts in a 72-hole tournament with 94.
• In 2013, a PGA Tour record-tying 91 players made the 36-hole cut.
• In 1990, Payne Stewart became the first Heritage champion to successfully defend his title.
• In 1976, Hubert Green won by five shots for his third consecutive win in as many weeks.