Davis Love III, 2 other major champions are late RBC Heritage additions

Davis Love III, already with five tartan jackets to his name, is set for a 29th appearance at the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing after adding his name to the roster in the final hours before Friday’s deadline.

Next week’s event at Harbour Town Golf Links will be just his second start of 2017, having missed the first 12 weeks after breaking his collarbone in a snowboarding accident just after New Year’s Day.

Former major winners Keegan Bradley and Geoff Ogilvy also were last-minute additions to the field, along with Patrick Cantlay, whose return from a two-year injury layoff recently produced a runner-up finish in Tampa.

They join a field that includes two-time winner Jim Furyk, defending champion Branden Grace and four of the past five PGA Tour winners.

Though England's Tyrrell Hatton is the top-ranked player at No.15, it’s a lineup heavy on familiar names if not ranking points. Eight of the top 30 in the world rankings will be at Harbour Town, including former champs Matt Kuchar and Brandt Snedeker.

“Would you like to have a few other guys? Yes,” tournament director Steve Wilmot said. “But we have a limited field. It’s anybody’s event. We have some strong international players and we look forward to a great week.”

He also noted that two of the top five players on the Masters leaderboard Friday — co-leader Charley Hoffman and William McGirt — are committed to make the drive to Harbour Town on Monday. Hoffman was a contender at Harbour Town last year, one shot off the pace heading into the final round.

Jordan Spieth is the last Masters champion to play the RBC Heritage, doing so two years ago.

Heritage Week begins Monday with the traditional opening ceremony along the 18th fairway, as Grace hits the ceremonial first shot into Calibogue Sound. There actually will be two cannon shots this year, with a second for the late Arnold Palmer following a moment of silence.

Competition for the newest tartan jacket begins next Thursday.

Daily tickets, priced at $85, remain on sale along with weeklong badges and a selection of clubhouse packages. Starting Saturday, purchases can be made only in person at Harbour Town.

Love’s 29th start at Harbour Town will leave him one behind all-time leader Jay Haas. In addition to his five victories, most recently in a 2003 playoff, he holds the Heritage record with 11 top-10 finishes.

This year’s edition brings another twist, with the tournament adding a second Wednesday pro-am to its schedule to be played on Sea Pines’ new Atlantic Dunes course that was designed by Love.

“We knew (he’d come), but he just hadn’t committed,” Wilmot said. “He's always shown support to us here, and we’re not hosting a pro-am at his golf course. He's been a great friend to the tour, and to us.”

Love, also captain of last year’s winning U.S. Ryder Cup team, was looking forward to playing an expanded schedule until the snowboarding mishap in Sun Valley, Idaho. The 52-year-old pro broke his collarbone in three places, requiring a plate and eight screws.

He returned to action last week in Houston, finishing in a tie for 61st.

Bradley has three PGA Tour wins, including the 2011 PGA Championship in a playoff at Atlanta Athletic Club. After a few seasons of struggle, the Vermont native owns three top-10 finishes this year including fourth at Torrey Pines.

Ogilvy was the surprise winner of the 2006 U.S. Open, when Phil Mickelson’s stunning double bogey at Winged Foot’s 18th dropped the trophy into the Aussie’s hands. He has eight PGA Tour wins, the most recent coming two years ago at Reno-Tahoe.

Cantlay was considered a rising star when he finished as low amateur at the 2011 U.S. Open and shortly thereafter carded a 60 at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut. He earned his PGA Tour card in 2014, but a back injury forced him to the sideline at year's end.

During the layoff, Cantlay also lost his close friend and caddie, Chris Roth, to a hit-and-run driver while spending time at home in California.

This story was originally published April 7, 2017 at 8:40 PM with the headline "Davis Love III, 2 other major champions are late RBC Heritage additions."