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2021 RBC Heritage: Top 10 power rankings at Harbour Town

By Mike Randleman

Jun 20, 2020; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Spectators watch action on the 18th green from the light tower during the third round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2020; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Spectators watch action on the 18th green from the light tower during the third round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 20, 2019; Hilton Head, SC, USA; Dustin Johnson inspects the green of the fifth hole with his caddie during the third round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2019; Hilton Head, SC, USA; Dustin Johnson inspects the green of the fifth hole with his caddie during the third round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

Well, who saw that coming?

Dustin Johnson was not able to defend his Masters title as planned, missing the cut by two strokes last week at Augusta National. Never did it look like he was about to contend, but some sloppy mistakes Friday afternoon prevented him from at least making the weekend.

It was very surprising, but it’s a credit to how good he is that it was his first missed stroke play cut since the Memorial last July (he was on the way to MC’ing a week later at the 3M Open before withdrawing).

It was, however, his fourth straight event, outside the top 25.

I predict a bounceback of sorts, but the RBC Heritage isn’t the best tournament for Johnson. The Columbia, South Carolina, native teeing it up in his home state will have to negotiate the tight, treelined Harbour Town layout.

It’s not ideal for a big hitter like him, but he’s still a talented player with shorter clubs in his hands.

Johnson may be a little generous going on the record asserting this a good spot for him.

His RBC sponsorship assuredly has nothing to do with his appearances, right?

“I like the golf course, yeah. I really do. It actually sets up really well for me,” Johnson was transcribed by ASAP Sports in 2019. “I like the golf holes — I don’t really like No. 11 and No. 9, but other than that I like the golf course a lot. I played those holes a total of 5-over this week.”

Johnson missed the cut at this event in 2008 and 2009. The Coastal Carolina alum returned in 2018 and has placed in the top 30 each time: T-16th in 2018 (69-69-72-67), T-28th in 2019 (68-67-68-77) and T-17th in 2020 (68-68-67-68). The Sunday 77 a couple years ago was a bit of a shock. A 67 would have won it for him by two.

The 36-year-old ranks 11th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach (.77) and is a surprising 10th in SG around the green (.469). It’s hard to find many categories, strokes gained or non, where he’s outside the top 100. Driving accuracy is one of them, but that isn’t a big concern at Harbour Town.

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