A Heritage to remember – 2023
Hilton Head’s most popular event was bigger and better than ever in 2023.
Photography by Arno Dimmling
Thousands of spectators flocked to Harbour Town Golf Links as the PGA Tour rolled into town for the 2023 RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. The annual golf tournament was bigger and better than ever this year, thanks to designated event status, which increased the purse to $20 million and ensured the top players on the PGA Tour competed, just a week after the pressure-packed Masters. Photographer Arno Dimmling captured the following highlights of the on-course action.
1. Matt Fitzpatrick earned a $3.6 million paycheck and a plaid jacket for winning the 2023 RBC Heritage. It was his first PGA Tour win since last year’s U.S. Open. “I think I can retire now,” Fitzpatrick said. “This one is the one that I’ve always wanted to win. Any golf tournament, you know, other than the majors, of course, there isn’t a higher one on my list than to win this one, and that’s the truth. This place is just a special place for me, and it means the world to have won it.”
2. Fitzpatrick celebrated the win with his parents, Russell and Susan.The family is from Sheffield, England, and have been vacationing on Hilton Head since Matt was 6. “I came into this week feeling that my game was making positive strides, but my goal was to enjoy this week,” Fitzpatrick said. “My family is here, my girlfriend is here, and I really did want to make sure that that was the big thing.”
3. 2022 RBC Heritage champion Jordan Spieth fell just short of a repeat, losing to Fitzpatrick in a thrilling three-hole playoff. “ It just wasn’t meant to be,” Spieth said.
4. All eyes were on Jon Rahm, who finished T15 at 11-under just a week after winning the 2023 Masters. He was given an incredible ovation walking up the 18th fairway on his final hole. “This is leaps past anything that I’ve felt before,” Rahm said. “Obviously, when I go to Spain, I get ovations and I get moments like this in my home country. But to do it here on U.S. soil and see the recognition from the crowd and the kids, it only validates the decision to come here this week and make them really happy.”
5. Xander Schauffele finished fourth at 15 under, two strokes behind the leaders.“This is my fourth appearance, and I can’t think of a time I’ve finished inside the top 60,” Schauffele said. “It was nice to sort of get over that hump, play a little bit better. I do enjoy playing the golf course.”
6. Sahith Theegala finished T5 at 14 under. “I’m learning every tournament,” Theegala said. “I feel like there’s always something you can pick up on out here with all these world-class guys.”
7. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster congratulates Matt Fitzpatrick on the 18th green after his win.
Must-see TV
A week after CBS reported the final round of the 2023 Masters was the most watched golf broadcast in the past five years, the network drew 4.152 million viewers Sunday for the 2023 RBC Heritage, up 13 percent from last year. The final round was the most watched final round of the tour’s season, Masters aside. It was the most watched final round of the RBC Heritage since 2002, a playoff between Justin Leonard and Heath Slocum that drew 4.575 million viewers.
2023 Heritage winners
1. Best Finish
Matt Fitzpatrick wasn’t the only winner at the RBC Heritage. Here were the top finishers off the course.
2. Best food
SERG’s sushi rolls were a big hit this year. They featured their Spicy Tuna Roll and Veggie Roll from Skull Creek Boathouse, their Cali Roll from Poseidon and their Lox Roll from CharBar Co.
3. Best drinks
Tito’s John Daly
Tito’s Transfusion: Tito’s Vodka, ginger ale, purple grape juice, lime juice, fresh grapes
4. Best mascot
Dolly the Beach Berner hit all of the Heritage hot spots.
5. Best dressed
Terry Doyle came ready for a plaid day.
6. Best accessories
Vintage plaid golf hat with Heritage key chain
Plaid purse to match a plaid outfit.
Plaid fabric earrings
By land, sea and air
During Saturday’s third-round a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner flew over the 18th hole.
The Goodyear Blimp hovered over the golf course, capturing aerial views for the CBS team. Many boat owners watched the action from Calibogue Sound.
What’s in the bag?
Here’s a look at the equipment 2023 RBC Heritage champion Matthew Fitzpatrick rolls with.
Driver: Titleist TSi3 9 degrees, (Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange 65 TX)
3-wood: Ping G425 Max 14.5 degrees (Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange 75 Tx)
7-wood: Ping G410 20.5 degrees (Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Orange 80 TX)
Irons: Ping i210 (4, 5), Ping S55 (6-W)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 52-12F 56-08M & WedgeWorks Proto 60-T (True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S300)
Putter: Bettinardi Tour DASS BB1 Proto
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
By the numbers
SERG Restaurant Group president Alan Wolf shared the number of items needed to satisfy the hungry crowds of the 2023 RBC Heritage.
“In the most important category, Peanut M&M’s beat regular M&M’s 791 to 774,” Wolf said.
Canned beer: 50,961
Soft beverages: 40,165
Snacks (pretzels, kettle corn, etc.): 20,065
Draft beer: 3,770
Hot dogs: 8,052
Turkey wraps: 4,614
Pretzels: 2,696
Palmetto Kettle Corn: 1,897
Philly cheesesteaks: 260
Cheeseburgers: 4,029
Barbecue pork sandwiches: 4,020