2023 RBC Heritage: Top 10 Power Rankings at Harbour Town

Count Rory McIlroy among the names making their way to the RBC Heritage this week who otherwise likely would not be in attendance.

This is the Northern Irishman’s third tournament appearance and just the second since he arrived at Harbour Town as a shaggy-haired 19-year-old in 2009.

McIlroy posted 72-71-72-71 for T-58th as a debutant and improved to T-41st (72-65-66-70) in 2020.

This isn’t a great venue for his game, which primarily finds advantages utilizing his power off the tee.

McIlroy has been sharp with his irons this season. He ranks seventh on the PGA Tour in strokes gained per round on approach (.929). It helps him sit eighth in total SG (1.633).

While he may lack the precision one thinks of when trying to prognosticate this tournament, McIlroy does have motivation on his side.

He must be eager to get back to competition after not only failing to win his first green jacket last week, but by missing the cut entirely.

It was a departure from the great form Rory’s flashed since the fall. He won late in 2022 at the CJ Cup, won early in 2023 in Dubai on the DP World Tour and posted a pair of top-three finishes in designated events.

A deep run in his last event at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play resulted in third place.

It led many to believe this would be the time McIlroy would slay the demons at the Masters and attain the career Grand Slam. That quest will continue on for another year.

While he hasn’t found the major magic in nearly a decade, McIlroy has a way of getting back on the grind and playing well on the PGA Tour.

I don’t think he’ll win this week, but McIlroy should be eager to get back into good form this week with three other major championships coming up soon.