Snedeker to defend 2011 Heritage title; 5 other past champs commit

Brandt Snedeker will defend his title at the 44th annual RBC Heritage, set for April 9-15 at Harbour Town Golf Links, the tournament announced Monday.

The former Vanderbilt star is joined by five other past champions making early commitments to the PGA Tour event. Also committing are two-time champions Stewart Cink and Boo Weekley, as well as Jim Furyk, Brian Gay and Glen Day. The entire group will be shooting for the top prize of $1,026,000 from a purse of $5,700,000.

RBC is the title sponsor of this year's event, after signing a five-year sponsorship agreement this past summer. The Boeing Company also has made a five-year commitment as the tournament's first presenting sponsor.

Snedeker is off to a fast start this season having already won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Snedeker broke into the Harbour Town winner's circle last April by firing a final-round 7-under-par 64 to tie eventual Player of the Year Luke Donald, then defeating him in a playoff.

Cink, a former British Open champion, won the Heritage in 2000 and 2004. Weekley won back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008 -- the last golfer to win in consecutive years. Gay, the 2009 winner, enjoyed the largest lead over the field, 10 strokes. Furyk, the 2010 victor, as well as 1999 champion Day, both won after playoffs.

Daily tickets and weeklong badges for this year's tournament are now on sale online at www.rbcheritage.com or by calling the tournament office at 843-671-2448. The Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce also is selling tickets at their mid-island location and at the Hilton Head Island Welcome Center. The town of Bluffton Office at 20 Bridge Street is also a ticket outlet.

Information: Call 843-671-2448, go to the tournament's website or Facebook page, or follow @WillieHeritage on Twitter.