The RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing returns to Harbour Town Golf Links from 16 to 19 April 2026 for the 58th edition of one of the PGA Tour’s most prestigious Signature Events. Held the week after the Masters, this no-cut tournament features a 72-player field competing for a $20 million purse on one of golf’s most demanding layouts. Justin Thomas is the defending champion after his playoff victory in 2025.
What is the RBC Heritage?
The RBC Heritage is a PGA Tour Signature Event held annually at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. First played in 1969, the tournament is one of nine elevated events on the PGA Tour calendar, carrying a $20 million purse with $3.6 million going to the winner. As a Signature Event, the Heritage features a reduced field of 72 players, no cut, and guaranteed starts for the world’s top-ranked golfers. Its position in the schedule, immediately following the Masters, means the field regularly includes players fresh from Augusta National, making it one of the strongest non-major tournaments of the year.
When is the RBC Heritage 2026?
The 2026 RBC Heritage runs from Thursday 16 April to Sunday 19 April, with practice rounds and pro-am events taking place earlier in the week from Tuesday 14 April. Thursday and Friday feature the opening two rounds, Saturday is moving day, and Sunday hosts the final round. Coverage typically begins in the early afternoon Eastern Time, with featured group coverage available from the morning.
Where is the RBC Heritage?
Harbour Town Golf Links is located within the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Designed by Pete Dye with consultation from Jack Nicklaus, the course opened in 1969 and has hosted the Heritage every year since. At 7,191 yards, the par-71 layout is renowned for its narrow, tree-lined fairways, small Bermuda greens averaging just 3,700 square feet, and the iconic red-and-white striped lighthouse behind the 18th green. Harbour Town rewards accuracy and course management over raw power, making it a favourite among shotmakers on tour.
Key Contenders
Justin Thomas is the defending champion after ending a three-year victory drought with a playoff birdie to defeat Andrew Novak at the 2025 edition. Thomas will look to become just the fourth player to successfully defend the title in the tournament’s history.
As a Signature Event held the week after the Masters, the 2026 field is expected to include many of the game’s biggest names. Scottie Scheffler, the 2024 champion who famously became the first player in 39 years to win both the Masters and the Heritage in the same year, is a perennial contender at Harbour Town. Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, and Matt Fitzpatrick (2023 champion) are among the top players who have thrived on the course’s precision-demanding layout. Jordan Spieth, the 2022 winner, and Stewart Cink, a three-time champion, also have strong Harbour Town pedigree.
How to Watch
In the United States, television coverage is split between Golf Channel and CBS. Golf Channel broadcasts the early window from approximately 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET, with CBS providing coverage from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET on Thursday through Sunday. Streaming is available via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, which offers featured group and featured hole coverage throughout the day, as well as through the NBC Sports App, CBSSports.com, and Paramount+.
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports Golf carries full coverage, typically from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm BST. In Australia, Fox Sports and Kayo provide live coverage. Fans in Canada can watch on TSN and RDS.
History and Records
The Heritage was first played in November 1969, with Arnold Palmer claiming the inaugural title. Davis Love III holds the record for most victories with five wins between 1987 and 2003, while Hale Irwin and Stewart Cink each have three titles. The tournament scoring record belongs to Webb Simpson, who shot a remarkable 22-under-par 262 in 2020. In 2024, Scottie Scheffler made history as the first golfer since Bernhard Langer in 1985 to win the Masters and the Heritage in the same year. Notable champions in recent years include Matt Fitzpatrick (2023), Jordan Spieth (2022), and C.T. Pan (2019).
Tickets and Attendance
The RBC Heritage regularly attracts more than 100,000 spectators across the tournament week. General admission tickets for 2026 are available through the official tournament website and Ticketmaster, with daily grounds passes starting from around $30 for practice rounds, rising for competition days. Premium hospitality options include the Lighthouse Club behind the 18th green (a two-storey skybox with complimentary food and drinks), the Calibogue Club (an all-inclusive climate-controlled venue from $600), and Doc’s BBQ at 15 (tiered seating from $400). The Ultimate Patron Pass, starting at $1,500, grants access to multiple hospitality venues. Tickets for the weekend rounds sell fastest, so early booking is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the RBC Heritage 2026 start?
The first competitive round begins on Thursday 16 April 2026, with practice rounds from Tuesday 14 April.
Where is the RBC Heritage held?
Harbour Town Golf Links at the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, United States.
How can I watch the RBC Heritage?
In the US, coverage is on Golf Channel and CBS, with streaming on ESPN+ via PGA Tour Live. In the UK, Sky Sports Golf broadcasts the tournament live.
Who won the RBC Heritage last year?
Justin Thomas won the 2025 RBC Heritage, defeating Andrew Novak in a one-hole playoff for his first PGA Tour victory since the 2022 PGA Championship.