2013 Golf: Charley Hoffman Takes Two Shot Lead Into Final at Harbor Town

Charley Hoffman has been close at Harbor Town, but has never won The RBC Heritage. That could change on Sunday when he tees it up with a two shot lead looking for the third win of his career. Hoffman shot a 65 here last year in the second round, but couldn’t close the deal, finishing eighth. He starts the day with a two shot lead over 2012 US Open Champ, Webb Simpson.

Apr 7, 2012; Augusta, GA, USA; Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the 7th hole during the third round of the 2012 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Harbor town Golf Links is a tight little golf course, with very smallish greens. Hoffman hit only eight greens on Saturday, but scrambled well all day, and took only 21 putts to get around the historic layout which is on Hilton Head Island. Hoffman put five birdies on his card, and no bogeys.

"“I guess I wasn’t mature enough to play this course,” he said. “Once you learn what side of the fairway to leave it on and where to miss, you have a real big advantage.”"

Webb Simpson was the biggest mover on Saturday, carding a -6 under par 65, the current US Open champion moved up 11 positions on the leaderboard, and grabbed sole possession of second place. Simpson got around the par 71 layout with six birdies, and no bogeys. He put the double bogey he made at the 13th hole on Friday behind him, and had a great Saturday.

Simpson has not had a win since his victory at the Olympic Club, but has been close. His best metal-play finish in 2013 was a T 6 at The Northern Trust Open in February. He made some noise at Dove Mountain, and finished T 3 at the Tavistock Cup, but also missed cuts at The Humana, and The Arnold Palmer Invitational.

If Hoffman wants to win on Sunday, he is going to have to earn it. Tampa Bay Champ, Kevin Streelman is three back after shooting a 69 on Saturday, and 2010 US Open Champ, Graeme McDowell is sitting four back with Brandon de Jonge. McDowell typically plays well on this type of golf course, and is looking for his first win on this up and down year.

McDowell missed the cut last week at the Masters, and at the Northern Trust Open. He made the quarterfinals in the WGC Accenture Match Play, and played well during the Florida swing. He finished T 9 at the Honda Classic, and T 3 at Doral for the Cadillac Championship. He hasn’t won since beating Tiger Woods in the World Challenge back in December.

Don’t look now, but Camilo Villegas has made the cut, and is making an appearance on the leaderboard. The spider made a couple of bogeys on Saturday, but eventually shot a -3 under 68, and is tied with a huge group at -5 under par, five strokes back.

Villegas has been close this year, with opening rounds of 67, and 64 at Pebble Beach, and PGA National, but failed to make the cut in both events, by falling apart in the second rounds. His best finish in 2013 was a T 18 at Bay Hill. He showed some grit on Friday when he doubled bogeyed the par four 19th hole, but instead of totally falling apart, came back with birdies at the 14th and 17th holes to finish with even par for the day.

I have been a fan for this kid since he graced leaderboards a couple of years ago. He has had to go back through the tour school and Web.com tour to renew his status on the PGA Tour, and maybe this is the week he turns the corner to compete for a win.

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