RBC Heritage preview: Jordan Spieth headlines strong field at Hilton Head

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There will be no post-Masters break for Jordan Spieth. He'll set his sights on his third win of the season this weekend at the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head.

Harbour Town Golf Links is the shortest and tightest course on tour, so accuracy and solid iron play will be at a premium. The winner gets a fancy plaid jacket, which is just slightly less cherished than the green jacket handed out last Sunday.

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A look at some of the tournament favorites:

Luke Donald: Donald struggles on longer courses, which is why his name doesn't appear on leaderboards in the majors. The former world No. 1 has been out of form for a couple years now, but it hasn't stopped him from playing well in Hilton Head. During the past four years he has finished second twice and tied for third.

Matt Kuchar: Last year's champion is officially in a slump. He has failed to post a top 10 in his past six starts and has posted just one top 15. Kuchar was a model of consistency the previous five seasons, however. He should get some confidence back this week.

Jordan Spieth: Not many people would honor their commitment to play the week after becoming the second-youngest person to win the Masters, but Spieth isn't many people. The 21-year-old Texas native is playing in his fourth consecutive tournament, and his fifth in the past six weeks. He has two wins and two runner-up finishes in that span. If he can get into this tournament emotionally, he will be in contention again.

Zach Johnson: This course is tailored for Johnson's game. He's accurate off the tee and great around the greens, so the tiny circular putting surfaces shouldn't give him any problems. Johnson finished second at Hilton Head in 2012 and could improve upon that this week.

Ian Poulter: Another shorter hitter, Poulter should thrive on this course. He hasn't had the same type of success there as the aforementioned players, but look for that to change this week. He climbed up the leaderboard Sunday to finish tied for sixth at the Masters, so he should be confident coming in.

Patrick Reed: Unlike Poulter, Reed did not place well at Augusta. The poor finish should only fuel his desire to prove himself. His biggest challenge this week will be figuring out the greens. They're small and bowl-shaped, which tends to give the longer hitters problems. It's imperative that he start quickly and roll with that momentum.

Webb Simpson: Simpson is in jeopardy of falling out of the top 50 in the World Golf Rankings for the first time since winning the U.S. Open in 2012. He has adjusted better than predicted to the short putter with three top 15 finishes this year. He is extremely accurate off the tee. Simpson lost in a playoff at Hilton Head to Graeme McDowell in 2013. 

Brandt Snedeker: Snedeker had to be disappointed with his missed cut at the Masters, but his play might have been a case of a player wanting it too much. Sneds won at Harbour Town in 2011, and has the putting stroke and iron game to win again.

Graeme McDowell: McDowell has fallen from 15th to 31st in the rankings since the start of the season with only one top 10 in that time. Like Bubba Watson, McDowell has been critical of certain courses on tour, but that's not the case here. As mentioned, he slipped on the plaid jacket in 2013 when he defeated Simpson in a playoff. He could kick-start his season on a familiar course.

Jim Furyk: Furyk is off to a slow start after a career year in 2014. He's attempting to pick up the pace around the greens, and he seems to be falling out of rhythm. He won at Hilton Head in 2010 and should be in contention again.

Sleepers

Charles Howell III: Howell hasn't quite lived up to the lofty expectations for him when he came out of Oklahoma State, but he's a consistent top 10 threat. He's one of the better iron players on tour and long off the tee for his size (5-11, 155 pounds). It all comes down to putting for him.

Camilo Villegas: As unpredictable as a tsunami, Villegas was one of the bright young faces in golf a few years ago, then disappeared for a while. He won the Wyndam Championship last year and has slowly been improving his overall play.

Marcel Siem: A familiar face on the European Tour, Siem has showcased flashes of dominating play along with his ponytail. It wouldn't be surprising to see him play well this week.

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