2023 RBC Heritage: Top 10 Power Rankings at Harbour Town
I feel foolish for omitting Cameron Young off last week’s power rankings at the Masters. I won’t make the same mistake twice.
The second-year PGA Tour player has a lot going for him despite still seeking his first big-league win.
Young is coming off a T-7th finish (67-72-75-68) at Augusta National. While he never was in the heat of the battle to win, it was an impressive debut at a place where course experience is crucial.
He made three triple bogeys on the week and lost by six.
It was also Young’s third top-seven in his last four major championship starts. The big stage is not too big for the New Yorker.
"“I am really comfortable. I think I mentioned a couple days ago, I really didn’t have any first-tee nerves, and I don’t know, I think the more I’m out here, the more I see these golf courses, I think they just generally suit my game quite well,” Young was transcribed by ASAP Sports. “I’ve obviously proven to myself that I can compete and contend in them. I have no reason, I think, not to continue to do that.”"
Young’s slow, yet powerful swing has him third on the PGA Tour in average driving distance (316.3 yards). You wouldn’t think a player like him, who can struggle on and around the greens, would find success at Harbour Town.
Think again.
Young was the 18-hole leader after an opening 8-under 63. He came back down to earth with a 73 in round two before bouncing back to play the weekend 70-66 to finish T-3rd and just a shot out of a playoff.
After winning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors last season, Young’s continuing his fine form.
The Wake Forest product has made all seven cuts with three top-10s, all of them coming in his last four starts. Young took T-10th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, solo second at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and T-7th last week.
Young ranks 17th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained per round on approach (.657). If his iron play stays sharp and he can avoid leaning on the short game and putter, this could finally be the week he breaks through for a victory.