Dustin Johnson, Webb Simpson Head Strong Field at RBC Heritage

Dustin Johnson missed the cut at the Masters last weekend, cutting short his defense of his title at Augusta National. Now, the world No. 1 will try to rebound with a strong performance at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Johnson shot at 74-75 and was never in contention as Hideki Matsuyama won the green jacket at Augusta last weekend.

Johnson praises Matsuyama for Masters win

While Johnson was out of action after two rounds, he participated in the traditional jacket ceremony, awarding the green jacket to Matsuyama on Sunday.

“I would have liked to have kept it, but I’ve got one, so it still felt good,” Johnson told USA Today’s Golfweek. “It was definitely neat to be a part of the ceremony, and I enjoyed being their champion for five months. I don’t care how long it was for, it’s still cool. I’m always going to be a Masters champion.”

Now, Johnson enters the RBC Heritage as the favorite to get back on the winning track. FanDuel Sportsbook lists Johnson as the +1200 pick to come away from Harbour Town with the title.

“I love playing this event,” Johnson said. “I think it’s a great golf course. It’s always in good shape, and it’s a tough course, too, so you know you don’t have to shoot real low, which I like.”

Webb Simpson (+1300) stands right behind Johnson as a virtual co-favorite. Simpson won the RBC Heritage last year after shooting 22-under-par for the tournament, one stroke ahead of Abraham Ancer (+3000), and three shots better than the previous event record.

“Hilton Head has always been one of my favorite places on tour … even before I won,” Simpson told reporters. “RBC Heritage was one of the very few tournaments I was crossing my fingers would not get canceled last year.”

Zalatoris seeks first win at RBC Heritage

Matsuyama won’t be playing at the RBC Heritage after his Masters victory last week, but runner-up Will Zalatoris will be there following the biggest performance of his young career. The 24-year-old now has two top-10 finishes in majors in the last year, after tying for sixth at the 2020 US Open. He’s finished in the top 10 in six of his last 15 PGA Tour events.

“I really haven’t put expectations on myself to play well,” Zalatoris told reporters. “I’ve just really done a good job of just doing my job and playing within myself.”

Zalatoris comes in as a +3000 pick to win the RBC Heritage and to pick up his first PGA Tour victory.

The RBC Heritage features a surprisingly strong field this year, as most top golfers typically skip the tournament the week after the Masters. Other top contenders include Collin Morikawa (+1700), Patrick Cantlay (+1700), and Daniel Berger (+2100).