For the first time since 2007, the Masters champion is teeing it up at the RBC Heritage. Jordan Spieth is slated to become the latest since Zach Johnson honored his commitment at Harbour Town Golf Links. Johnson finished sixth here after his lone title in a major.

Spieth is making his third appearance in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, so he's already familiar with the course and the climes. Scoring was so consistent last year that Harbour Town repeated its average of 72.038 from 2013. It was the third-toughest par 71 of the season, also in line with expectations. Routed to tip at just 7,101 yards but plays much more as a surgical setup, it's not surprising that it averaged the lowest of all tracks in distance of all drives among at 257.7 yards.

RBC Heritage: Full field | Course overview | Past winners | FedExCup standings | Play Fantasy | Fantasy home



In step with the challenge to go low, Harbour Town ranked second-lowest in greens in regulation last season at just 56.21 percent (or just over 10 per round). It yielded the fewest GIR among all courses the previous season and has always been one of the most stringent given that the greens average 3,700 square feet.

Defending champion Matt Kuchar led the field in greens hit with 53. He placed third in proximity to the hole (30 feet, seven inches), T1 in par breakers (19) and first in par-4 scoring (3.86). The trio of par 5s -- Nos. 2, 5 and 15 -- ranked T10 in terms of difficulty last season at 4.80. Kuchar finished eighth in that stat but well below the field average with a clip of 4.58.

Rain cannot be ruled out at any point this week, although there should be a lull in the threat mid-tournament. Temperatures will climb into the 70s every day and winds are expected to be light to moderate but from multiple directions. If they have an impact, it will benefit those with prior experience flighting shots on the Pete Dye design.