2024 RBC Heritage: Top 10 power rankings at Harbour Town

Rory McIlroy is hoping to make headlines at Harbour Town this year for his play, and not for a lack of it.

Last year, he drew scrutiny after withdrawing seemingly without a reason, other than getting over the disappointment of another failed attempt at winning a green jacket the week prior. Players are afforded to skip one Designated Event (now known as Signature Events) per season, but he had already done so in 2023 at The Sentry Tournament of Champions.

He once again was unable to get it done at the Masters this year after a T-22nd finish, but I think he’ll give it a go this week at the RBC Heritage to avoid further backlash.

This will be the Northern Irishman’s first start at Hilton Head Island since 2020 where he took T-41st (72-65-66-70). That event took place in June due to the COVID-19 pandemic pushing back the tournament.

This year will be McIlroy’s first start at the Heritage’s usual post-Masters spot on the schedule since he was a curly-haired 19-year-old in 2009. He carded 72-71-72-71 for T-58th.

McIlroy professed in 2020 that in 2009, and early in the 2020 tournament, he struggled to get comfortable on this Pete Dye layout. He appeared to get more comfortable as the tournament went on, which could help him get off to a faster start this time around.

Prior to the Masters, McIlroy posted five straight top-25s highlighted by solo third at the Valero Texas Open. He has top-25s in 21 of his last 22 events dating back to May.

His statistical profile backs up his consistency on the top half of leaderboards. McIlroy’s 14th on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Total (1.052). Helping the cause are ranks of fourth in SG: Off-the-Tee (.858) and 19th in SG: Tee-to-Green (.933).

He’s also eighth in average approach proximity from 150-175 yards (24’8”).

McIlroy is talented enough to win at any venue. With that said, Harbour Town is one of his worst course fits of the year.

It would have been tough to leave him out of this week’s top 10, but I see a high finish, and not a win, as his realistic ceiling this week.