Why We Have Our Eye on Jacob Bridgeman and Russ Henley This Week in Hilton Head

Why We Have Our Eye on Jacob Bridgeman and Russ Henley This Week in Hilton Head

The Masters hangover looms large—but our resident winner picker thinks these guys will parlay it into a big week.

Everything you used to handicap last week’s tournament, throw it out the window! The contrast is stark when looking at Augusta National and Harbour Town Golf Links. ANGC allowed for distance, power, and accuracy wasn’t much of a concern. Harbour Town, however, will be the opposite. With narrow fairways that are effectively more narrow thanks to overhanging trees, accuracy will be required off-the-tee.

Then, players will take aim at some of the smallest greens on the TOUR schedule which will reward great wedge players and those who can scramble when they do inevitably miss the putting surfaces. The Signature Event presents another stellar field with four guaranteed rounds for every player.

Winner: Jacob Bridgeman (+4500)

The PGA TOUR’s best putter lost strokes putting last week at Augusta – and I don’t care! As a debutant to the Masters, he lacked the requisite experience to succeed on those putting surfaces but that won’t be a problem this week at Harbour Town. Bridgeman was excellent from tee-to-green last week and will be able to lean into his strengths once again at the RBC Heritage.

Winner: Russell Henley (+2150)

When it comes to short golf courses that reward precision over power, Russell Henley’s name should be the first to pop into your mind. Since 2021, Henley has gained +1.43 strokes per round on “short courses” which is the fourth best mark in this field. During that stretch, Henley has earned four top-20 finishes here at Harbour Town with two of those being top-10 finishes. He’s still looking for that first win of 2026 and this seems like the best place for him to break through.

Top 5: Maverick McNealy (+570)

McNealy has his fair share of chances at the RBC Heritage, two top-4 finishes in his career – including a T3 last year. He’s been diabolical on these putting surfaces, gaining over 16 strokes putting in his 18 career rounds at Harbour Town. He’s the third best putter in this field at Harbour Town and he’s gained strokes from tee-to-green in seven of his eight TOUR starts this year. This is a really great convergence of trends to go along with course fit for McNealy.

Top 5: Ryo Hisatsune (+1175)

Hisastsune didn’t qualify for the Masters last week, which I could argue is a positive. He’ll be well-rested when he arrives in Hilton Head and still on an excellent run of golf. Over his last nine starts, he’s earned five top-15 finishes and is proving to be one of the better tee-to-green players on TOUR. He’s inside the top-25 in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee, despite being 85th in driving distance. That means he is hitting a significant number of fairways which will increase in value around Harbour Town. He played here last year, finishing T18, and he’s a much better player now.

Top 10: Gary Woodland (+800)

Woodland is one of the longest players on TOUR, which wouldn’t be super beneficial off-the-tee, but it’ll show itself on approach shots as he’s hitting shorter clubs in than many of his peers. Woodland has gained nearly ten strokes to the field on approach alone in his last eight rounds and has gained strokes putting in five of his last six starts. He’s brimming with confidence and is ready to contend again.

Top 20: Ricky Castillo (+265)

Castillo is quietly putting together an impressive season. He’s played eight times in 2026 and hasn’t missed a cut yet. He won in Puerto Rico and notched a 5th place finish at the Cognizant Classic. I do worry about his driving accuracy but he’s an accomplished putter who makes a ton of birdies. In a small field like this, Castillo is certainly capable of finishing inside the top-20.