The mud has barely settled on The Masters, the place Rory McIlroy became the first player to win back-to-back titles since Tiger Woods in 2002, however one other large occasion is already upon us.
We’re properly and really into the primary a part of the season now, and the truth that the $20m RBC Heritage follows scorching on the heels of the yr’s first Major is proof of that.
Like different Signature Events, it’s a limited-field contest, whereas in step with most of them, it doesn’t have a lower.
In whole, 82 gamers will head to Harbour Town, together with defending champion Justin Thomas, 2024 winner Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick, who took the title in 2023.
With these together with different enormous names within the discipline, it’s certain to maintain the momentum going after the drama at Augusta National final week, however some prime gamers won’t be concerned.
Here are some star names lacking, in addition to the alternates checklist…
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy misses the occasion after successful The Masters
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During its time as one of many PGA Tour’s elevated occasions, McIlroy has solely performed within the RBC Heritage as soon as, when he positioned T33 two years in the past.
There was controversy in 2023 when he withdrew days after missing the cut at The Masters. At the time, gamers have been obligated to play in all however one of many large occasions, and that turned the second he missed that season.
Last yr, McIlroy received his first Green Jacket, which accomplished his profession Grand Slam, and he understandably opted to take time without work to rejoice that historic achievement.
McIlroy’s withdrawal this yr was introduced throughout The Masters, however, like 2025, absolutely few will begrudge him the prospect to delight in that achievement for a couple of extra days.
Justin Rose
Justin Rose’s withdrawal got here after his Masters heartbreak
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While McIlroy skips the occasion to let his Masters win sink in, for Justin Rose, who has also withdrawn, the week presents an opportunity to take inventory of what might need been.
The Englishman led by two throughout the closing spherical at Augusta National, earlier than letting issues slip round Amen Corner on his method to a tie for third.
Following final yr’s playoff heartbreak, one other near-miss can be exhausting for anybody to take, and, reasonably than head to South Carolina for the Signature Event, Rose has opted to skip the match.
Hideki Matsuyama
Hideki Matsuyama has solely performed within the RBC Heritage twice
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It’s no shock that Hideki Matsuyama isn’t within the RBC Heritage discipline, because it’s one he normally opts in opposition to taking part in.
He has solely performed within the occasion twice in his profession, in 2014 and in 2020, when he missed the lower on each events.
The Japanese star, who completed T12 at The Masters following a closing spherical of 69, is subsequent anticipated to tee it up on the fifth Signature Event within the schedule, the Truist Championship, which begins on May seventh at Quail Hollow.
Adam Scott
Adam Scott is within the Aon Next 10, however does not play
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The Australian was fifth within the Aon Next 10 on the cut-off for the RBC Heritage, which got here after The Masters.
However, regardless of that giving him eligibility for the match, we received’t be seeing him at Harbour Town this yr.
In any case, Scott’s current report on the RBC Heritage is mediocre, having completed T49 a yr in the past and T31 in 2023, whereas he didn’t play within the 2024 version.
Aaron Rai
Aaron Rai did not qualify for the RBC Heritage
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Rai has performed in two of the final three editions of the RBC Heritage, together with 2025, when he positioned tied for thirty eighth, however he hasn’t certified this time round.
Rai isn’t at the moment on this planet’s prime 30, whereas he doesn’t get in through his FedEx Cup rating from final yr, which was decrease than fiftieth. Meanwhile, at 119th, he’s too low to characteristic primarily based on his present FedEx Cup rating.
He additionally didn’t get into the Aon Next 10 or Aon Swing 5, hasn’t received a PGA Tour occasion within the final yr and doesn’t have a sponsor’s exemption, which means he sits it out.
Tom Kim
Kristoffer Reitan has but to qualify for a Signature Event
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Kim has solely performed in a single Signature Event up to now this season, the Genesis Invitational, courtesy of a sponsor’s exemption.
At the Riviera Country Club occasion, he completed tied for thirty fourth amid a protracted lack of type that has seen him drop out of the world’s prime 100.
As a outcome, qualification for the large tournaments is proving exhausting for the South Korean of late, with the RBC Heritage the newest he’ll miss.
RBC Heritage Alternates And Other Notables Missing
(World rating)
- Brooks Koepka – alternate (129th)
- Keith Michell – alternate (107th)
- Taylor Moore – alternate (147th)
- Stephan Jaeger – alternate (99th)
- Alex Smalley – alternate (106th)
- AJ Ewart – alternate (214th)
- Matti Schmid – alternate (89th)
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – alternate (146th)
- John Parry – alternate (83rd)
- Haotong Li – alternate (78th)
- Rasmus Hojgaaard (58th)
- Max Greyserman (sixty fifth)
- Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (seventieth)
- Max McGreevy (seventy fifth)
- Rico Hoey (eightieth)
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout (91st)
- Daniel Brown (94th)
- Adrien Saddier (97th)
- Chris Kirk (98th)
