RBC Heritage: Wesley Bryan Pulls the Bunny Out

Rookie Wesley Bryan captured the 2017 RBC Heritage championship in a back 9 Sunday Shootout!

The RBC Heritage came to an exciting end Sunday afternoon, extending that common Masters cliché that the tournament doesn’t really begin until the back 9 on Sunday to the PGA TOUR Harbour Town event.

Last week’s annual quest for the Green Jacket certainly played out that way. That said in all the Sunday Back 9s in all the Masters ever played none have ever met the standard of sheer number of contenders in pursuit of the Tartan Plaid Jacket that was won by PGA TOUR rookie, South Carolina native, and renowned trick shot artist Wesley Bryan at the 2017 RBC Heritage Classic.

Bryan, in his best Easter pink and blue, came out on top of an EXTREMELY crowded leaderboard that by the time the final group made it to the 10th Tee had no less than 14 players standing from 12 to 10-under par and all still on the course.

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Harbour Town Links dispelled the myth that longer is better as it pertains to course set up and competitiveness. It seemed everyone on Calibogue Sound with a bag of clubs and ugly pants had the opportunity to add Tartan Plaid to their wardrobe.

Bryan shot a final round 67 highlighted by 4 Birdies in a row on Holes 4, 5, 6, and 7. He offset two front 9 Bogeys with two back 9 Birdies and his 4 under par final round put him at 13 under for the week besting Luke Donald by 1 and leaving Donald with a Heritage Classic record 5th second place finish in his career.

Almost to a man every would-be contender had some sort of implosion coming down the stretch while Bryan played text-book golf, never showing any signs of cracking.

Saturday’s third round featured Ian Poulter being stalked by a curious alligator and Martin Kaymer electing to play a ricochet shot somewhat like Roy McAvoy in the movie Tin Cup. Despite all the contenders around the top of the leaderboard the only drama in the 4th round came quietly. Bryan admitted in his post round interview that when he realized he was leading the tournament for the first time on the 17th Tee, he threw up in his mouth a little.

Next: How Arnold Palmer Made Harbour Town a Prime PGA TOUR Stop

Bryan may or may not of been joking about that but just like his impressive rookie season he didn’t seem fazed by anything at all. He was unflappable as he recorded two final pars for his first Tour victory and the first victory by a South Carolina native at Harbour Town.

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