Kevin Chappell, Billy Horschel among newest RBC Heritage commitments
Kevin Chappell, whose late bogey Sunday cost him a shot at winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and former FedExCup champion Billy Horschel are among the newest additions to the field for next month’s RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing.
The list also includes David Lingmerth, who made last year’s Memorial Tournament his first PGA Tour victory, and Italy’s Francesco Molinari. They join a list now at more than 80 confirmed participants for the circuit’s annual visit to Harbour Town.
Jason Day, who overtook Chappell to win at Bay Hill, and reigning Open Championship winner Zach Johnson headline the field list along with five-time Heritage champion Davis Love III. Recent Harbour Town winners Graeme McDowell, Matt Kuchar and Brandt Snedeker also were early commitments.
The 48th Heritage Week begins April 11 with the traditional opening ceremony fronting Calibogue Sound, with competition to begin April 14.
Chappell is winless in 150 career PGA Tour starts, none so disappointing as Sunday’s final sequence. The California native took a one-shot lead to the 18th tee, where he pushed his drive into the right rough. That forced him to lay up, and his wedge approach stopped 21 feet from the pin.
As Chappell stood over his par putt, a roar went up from No. 17 as Day birdied. Chappell then lift his attempt well short of the hole.
“That’s why he’s been the No. 1 player in the world, and why I’m the 150th player in the world,” said Chappell, who now stands 69th after his runner-up finish.
Horschel was the improbable FedExCup winner two years ago, capturing the final two playoff events to dislodge favored Rory McIlroy from the $10 million prize. Lingmerth won the Memorial title last year in a playoff over Justin Rose.
Weeklong badges and daily tickets are available for purchase at RBCHeritage.com, via Kroger outlets in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce offices or by calling the tournament at 843-671-2448.
Jeff Shain: 843-706-8123, @jeffshain
Committed RBC Heritage participants
Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Zac Blair, Jonas Blixt, Chad Campbell, Paul Casey, Alex Cejka, Kevin Chappell, Stewart Cink, Chad Collins, Ben Crane, Jon Curran, Glen Day, Jason Day, Brendon de Jonge, Bryson DeChambeau, Graeme DeLaet.
Ernie Els, Matt Every, Lucas Glover, Fabian Gomez, Andres Gonzales, Jason Gore, Branden Grace, Bill Haas, Chesson Hadley, Adam Hadwin, James Hahn, David Hearn, Russell Henley, J.J. Henry, Jim Herman, Justin Hicks, Charley Hoffman, Billy Horschel.
Charles Howell, Zach Johnson, Jerry Kelly, Chris Kirk, Kevin Kisner, Colt Knost, Russell Knox, Jason Kokrak, Matt Kuchar, Danny Lee, Marc Leishman, Justin Leonard, Spencer Levin, David Lingmerth, Davis Love III, Jeff Maggert, Peter Malnati, Ben Martin.
Graeme McDowell, William McGirt, George McNeill, Kelly Mitchum, Francesco Molinari, Kevin Na, Seung-Yul Noh, Carlos Ortiz, Jeff Overton, Greg Owen, Ryan Palmer, Carl Pettersson, Scott Pinckney, Kyle Reifers, Ryan Ruffels, Rory Sabbatini, John Senden, Brandt Snedeker.
Brendan Steele, Robert Streb, Chris Stroud, Daniel Summerhays, Hudson Swafford, Nick Taylor, Vaughn Taylor, Brendon Todd, David Toms, Johnson Wagner, Boo Weekley, Mike Weir, Steve Wheatcroft, Will Wilcox, Mark Wilson.
Note: Even though a player has committed, he can remove his name from the field anytime before the entry deadline Friday, April 8 at 5 p.m.
This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 10:58 PM with the headline "Kevin Chappell, Billy Horschel among newest RBC Heritage commitments."