Jordan Spieth taking RBC Heritage decision down to the wire

With one week left before the field locks in for the 48th RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, Jordan Spieth still has yet to add his name to the roster.

On the flip side, the reigning Masters and U.S. Open champion hasn’t said no either.

Spieth’s agent, Jay Danzi, indicated earlier this week that the matter figures to go down to the wire, even as Spieth plays his final Masters tuneup this week at the Shell Houston Open.

“We haven’t made any decisions on RBC Heritage as of yet,” Danzi wrote in response to an email query from The Island Packet.

PGA Tour pros have until 5 p.m. next Friday to add their name to the RBC Heritage lineup. Those who already have committed to the tour’s annual visit also can withdraw without penalty before the deadline.

The event still can boast the current world No. 1, as Jason Day supplanted Spieth atop the rankings after back-to-back victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and WGC Dell Match Play. The Australian, whose coach/caddie Colin Swatton is a Belfair resident, now has six wins in his past 13 starts worldwide dating back to late July.

Open Championship titleholder Zach Johnson also is in the field, along with 10 former Harbour Town champions featuring Brandt Snedeker, Matt Kuchar, Graeme McDowell and five-time Heritage winner Davis Love III.

Reigning champion Jim Furyk is doubtful after undergoing wrist surgery in early February, though he has left a “1 percent” chance he could make his return at Harbour Town.

Heritage Week begins April 11 with the traditional opening ceremony fronting Calibogue Sound, with the competition beginning three days later.

Spieth’s delay isn’t all that unusual, as top players try to find the right balance between staying sharp and taking proper time off — especially this year with golf’s return to the Olympics adds to an already crowded summer schedule.

A year ago, Spieth wasn’t added to the RBC Heritage field until April 1. Of course, that was before the Texan became a runaway winner at the Masters, matching Tiger Woods’ all-time scoring record at 18-under-par 270. Then the question became whether Spieth would remain in the field.

Spieth did, flying in a little fatigued from a post-Masters media tour but rebounding from an opening 74 to finish in a tie for 11th.

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

This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 7:34 PM with the headline "Jordan Spieth taking RBC Heritage decision down to the wire."