To go along with our 10 power picks for the 2018 RBC Heritage, we’re risking a few bucks on some prop action this weekend at Harbour Town Golf Links, where a premium is placed on finesse over power and accuracy over length.
Here are the five players and bets we like this week:
1. XANDER SCHAUFFELE
The reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year is making his Heritage debut, which is typically a red flag, but do not let that scare you off. Schauffele is an elite-shot maker and Harbour Town greatly rewards that. Coming into his first Masters appearance last week, Schauffele had finished T18 or better in his previous four starts. He has had a bad recent habit of hitting a high number in one of four rounds, but we are not concerned about that continuing, after the inspiring nerves he consistently showed last season.
Odds: 11-1 (vs Kevin Na)
World Rank: 196th
Field Rank: 76th
Last Seven Starts: MC, 64, MC, 37, MC, MC, MC
The Prop Bet: $100 to make $110 to finish better than Kevin Na
2. EMILIANO GRILLO
The PGA Tour’s 2016 top rookie had a tough go of it in his sophomore season, finishing with just two top 10s, both coming in the early part of the season. In fact, after a T7 at Bay Hill in March, Grillo posted just one top 20. But the 25-year old seems to have gotten back in the groove in 2018, as he’s yet to miss a cut (11 of 11) and has already posted three top 10s, including a T3 two weeks ago at the Houston Open. His accuracy off the tee (68.8%, 14th) sets up perfect for Harbour Town’s tight fairways.
Odds: 75-1 (Top 5)
World Rank: 69th
Field Rank: 31st
Last Seven Starts: 3, 50, 26, 6, 8, 57, 12
The Prop Bet: $200 to make $1,500 for a Top-5 finish
3. LUKE DONALD
The former world No. 1, which feels like forever ago now, has been abysmal this season, missing five of eight cuts and not finishing higher than T32 anywhere. On any other course, in any other event, we would not even be considering the reeling Englishman, but this is Harbour Town, where Donald has an almost-impossible five runner-ups along with two other third place finishes in nine starts. He loves this course, to put it lightly, and a final top 10 seems almost guaranteed (which has to mean trouble).
Odds: 50-1 (Top 10)
World Rank: 196th
Field Rank: 76th
Last Seven Starts: MC, 64, MC, 37, MC, MC, MC
The Prop Bet: $200 to make $1,000 for a Top-10 finish
4. BEAU HOSSLER
The 23-year-old did not get to play Augusta for the first time last week, but he came very, very close after reaching a playoff the week before at the Houston Open, the professional breakthrough everyone knew was eventually coming. A super-motivated Ian Poulter nipped him in Houston, but Hossler was spectacular: he had just two bogeys the entire week, he ranked second in strokes gained: off-the-tee, fourth in strokes gained: putting, was third in scrambling, and had a round where he was 18/18 in greens in regulation. His game is a fit for the course, he is confident, and he is rested. Do not forget about him this week.
Odds: 50-1 (Top 10)
World Rank: 87th
Field Rank: 39th
Last Seven Starts: 2, 66, MC, MC, 43, 17, 35
The Prop Bet: $100 to make $500 for a Top-10 finish
5. ADAM HADWIN
The notoriously streaky Hadwin has been the good version of himself lately, posting finishes of T6, T9. T12. T17, and T24 in his last five events, respectively. That T24 was last week at The Masters, where Hadwin got off to a hot start with a round one 3-under 69, before a difficult second round took him largely out of contention, although he still played his weekend under par. Hadwin is exceptionally accurate and has tremendous touch around the greens, two traits that should give him an excellent chance at career victory No. 2 this week.
Odds: -150 (Top Canadian)
World Rank: 41st
Field Rank: 17th
Last Seven Starts: 24, 17, 12, 9, 6, 43, 35
The Prop Bet: $300 risk to make $200 for Top Canadian finish (Corey Conners, Mac Hughes, David Hearn, Nick Taylor)
Credit: Getty Images, Bovada, OWGR
