Masters to Hilton Head: A Quick Pivot for Golf’s Elite
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — The contrast between the Masters and the RBC Heritage couldn’t be more striking, despite being separated by just one week and 150 miles.
Augusta National demands perfection, with every shot carrying major championship pressure. Harbour Town offers a different challenge – tight, tree-lined fairways that somehow manage to feel more peaceful. One week awards a green jacket, the next a plaid one.
For Cameron Young, who was in contention at Augusta, there’s another welcome change.
“It is easier, physically, like the walk,” Young said after finishing nine holes of his pro-am round. “And staying closer. Everything seems simpler.”
But there’s no time to rest in golf’s packed schedule. The tour is now diving into a six-week stretch featuring two majors and three $20 million signature events.
Masters champion Rory McIlroy is skipping this $20 million signature event at Harbour Town – not surprising since he bypassed it last year too. The tight layout doesn’t particularly suit his game. Justin Rose also withdrew after another heartbreaking Sunday at Augusta where he held the lead on the back nine but couldn’t close.
Scottie Scheffler, who finished one shot behind McIlroy despite a poor start, has already moved on.
“It’s over with. Can’t really go back,” Scheffler said. “So if I would be frustrated, it would be with the start. But I’m proud of how I played on the weekend. That’s part of the beauty and frustrating part of golf — I get to try again this week.”
Scheffler knows something about bouncing back. After winning the Masters in 2024, he came to Harbour Town and claimed victory by three shots. He’s known for his ability to put results – good or bad – behind him quickly.
“The preparation looks a little different in terms of not doing nearly as much as a normal week,” he explained. “That’s mainly because this golf course doesn’t change too much. Rest is a huge part of that.”
This week’s field is the largest for signature events, with 82 players including 10 additional 2025 winners who missed The Sentry at Kapalua due to its cancellation over a water dispute.
Young had just as good a chance to win at Augusta as Scheffler did. He had eight consecutive birdie opportunities on the back nine Sunday but finished with nine straight pars.
“I had a really good chance to win, and I played the golf to win,” Young reflected. “I just didn’t, which happens a lot in golf. But I think about all the times Rosey has played the golf to win and hasn’t, or even Rory. It does happen.”
What he valued most was being in the final group, leading by two shots on the front nine Sunday.
“I enjoyed the battle on Sunday. I enjoyed the week,” he said. “I started in a bad spot and enjoyed the grind of getting back to somewhere worthwhile. And by Sunday, I gave myself every chance.”
While Hilton Head carries a relaxed vibe, that doesn’t mean the golf is easy. Harbour Town presents its own unique challenges.
“When you’re out of position here, you’re not often able to get it to the front of the green,” Young explained. “At Augusta, you can hit it miles off line and a lot of times you can get something to the front of the green. Here, you hit one off line and you’re hitting out sideways, or you have water in front.”
“It’s not an easy golf course,” he added. “There’s no foot off the gas at all on the golf front.”
