Jason Bohn chooses RBC Heritage for return from heart surgery

Jason Bohn has targeted next week’s RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing for a return to PGA Tour competition, seven weeks after suffering a major heart attack nearly felled him on the course at the Honda Classic.

Bohn, 42, required a stent in one of his arteries after alerting medics to chest pains as he finished up his second round at the Florida Swing’s first stop. Doctors told the Georgia pro the artery was more than 90 percent blocked, conditions that typically lead to the “widowmaker.”

Webb Simpson, who lost a playoff to Graeme McDowell three years ago at Harbour Town, also added his name to the roster on Thursday along with former Players Championship winner K.J. Choi.

They join a field that features world No. 1 Jason Day, Open Championship titleholder Zach Johnson and a list of former Harbour Town winners that includes recent champions Matt Kuchar, Graeme McDowell, Brandt Snedeker and five-time winner Davis Love III.

The deadline for players to add their name to the PGA Tour’s annual visit falls at 5 p.m. Friday. Also, those who already have committed to the tournament can withdraw without penalty before the deadline.

Reigning champion Jim Furyk remains doubtful following wrist surgery in early February, though he still plans to participate in Monday’s opening ceremony. The owner of two tartan jackets also is sitting out this week’s Masters Tournament.

Monday’s opening ceremony along the Calibogue Sound waterfront will officially launch the 48th Heritage Week, with competition starting next Thursday.

Weeklong badges and daily tickets are available for purchase at RBCHeritage.com, Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce offices or via Kroger outlets in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton.

Bohn, a winner of two PGA Tour events, began feeling ill Feb. 26 as he wrapped up his second round at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. He underwent surgery at a nearby hospital, and went home to the Atlanta area four days later.

“The craziest part about the whole situation is I had no idea that I was having a heart attack,” Bohn told SiriusXM Radio.

“My doctors all have told me that had I passed out or gone down on the golf course, that they really don’t think they would have had time to get the proper blood thinners in me, and put the stent in that they were able to do in time. I got one hell of a mulligan.”

Next week will be Bohn’s 10th consecutive year at Harbour Town, with a best finish of sixth in 2008.

Simpson, whose four career wins include the 2012 U.S. Open, will make his seventh start at Harbour Town. A windblown 2013 duel with McDowell ended on the first extra hole when a gust of wind took his lag putt some 7 feet away from the cup.

Choi will make his sixth Heritage start, enjoying something of a bounceback season that includes a runner-up finish behind Snedeker in San Diego.

Your Guide to the RBC Heritage

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 6:05 PM with the headline "Jason Bohn chooses RBC Heritage for return from heart surgery."