The 2025 Masters Tournament has wrapped up, and it was an unforgettable week at Augusta National. The event was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans, cementing its reputation as the most prestigious major of the season. But as the Masters concludes, PGA Tour professionals are now shifting their focus to the next big challenge—the RBC Heritage, held at the iconic Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. This tournament is the fifth Signature Event on the 2025 PGA Tour schedule.
The field for this year’s RBC Heritage is filled with star power. Golfers like Justin Rose, Ludvig Aberg, and the defending champion Scottie Scheffler are all competing, eager to secure victories following their attempts at the Masters. However, some top players won’t be making the trip to South Carolina. Here’s a breakdown of five of the most notable absentees from this limited-field event.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is enjoying one of the best stretches of his career. Over the past eight tournaments, he has secured four significant victories. His run began with a third career win at the 2024 DP World Tour Championship, where he also clinched his sixth Race to Dubai title. In 2025, he continued this impressive streak by claiming victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and THE PLAYERS Championship. Then came the crowning achievement—his long-awaited win at the Masters, completing the career Grand Slam.
The RBC Heritage is the fifth of eight Signature Events during the 2025 PGA TOUR Season.
The Aon Next 10 for the RBC Heritage will be finalized following the Masters Tournament.
Field for the RBC Heritage: pic.twitter.com/4XBbCXwjWA
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 11, 2025
With such accomplishments under his belt and a hectic recent schedule, McIlroy has opted to take a break rather than participate in the RBC Heritage. Historically, he hasn’t made many appearances at this tournament, having only played three times in his 18-year professional career. His decision to skip the event again this year seems consistent with his past preferences and likely reflects a need for rest and family time back in Northern Ireland.
Hideki Matsuyama
Hideki Matsuyama also began 2025 on a high note, winning The Sentry with a record-breaking 35-under par total—setting a new PGA Tour benchmark for a 72-hole score. He surpassed the previous best held by Cameron Smith by just one stroke. Matsuyama has made eight cuts this season and notched five top-25 finishes, including strong performances at the Valero Texas Open and the Masters, which took place in consecutive weeks.
His absence from the RBC Heritage likely stems from a desire to avoid competing three weeks in a row. Like McIlroy, Matsuyama doesn’t often play in this tournament, having only entered twice before—in 2014 and 2020. His choice to rest and recover seems reasonable given the physical and mental demands of the recent schedule.
Tom Kim
Tom Kim has had a packed calendar since early March 2025. His five-tournament streak included appearances at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, Valspar Championship, Valero Texas Open, and the Masters. The results have been mixed: two missed cuts, a few modest finishes, and a final spot on the leaderboard at Augusta despite making the cut.
At just 22 years old, Kim has shown incredible energy and enthusiasm. However, even young pros need time off to recharge and avoid burnout or injury. His decision to skip the RBC Heritage is understandable given his recent travel and tournament load.
Rasmus Højgaard
Rasmus Højgaard’s 2025 season has featured several highs and lows. He missed the cut at events like The Genesis Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, and the Valspar Championship. However, he also had a notable T12 finish at the WM Phoenix Open and ended T32 at the Masters.
Despite qualifying for the RBC Heritage, Højgaard appears to be stepping away from competition this week. One possible reason is his involvement in the DP World Tour, where he may be prioritizing other commitments. Interestingly, Højgaard has never played in the RBC Heritage before, so his absence this year may simply reflect his usual schedule planning rather than anything unusual.
Jake Knapp
Jake Knapp has had an impressive 2025 season on the PGA Tour. He’s made nine cuts and posted four top-25 finishes, including a T6 result at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. He currently ranks 47th in the FedEx Cup standings.
Although he didn’t qualify for the Masters, Knapp has participated in nearly every PGA Tour event available to him. His schedule included a four-week run from THE PLAYERS Championship through the Valero Texas Open and a seven-event stretch from January to March. His choice to rest this week likely reflects the need to recover from a grueling schedule and maintain long-term performance.
These notable absences have caught the attention of fans, many of whom were hoping to see these big names compete at Harbour Town. Nevertheless, with a strong field still in place and the tournament’s reputation for drama and challenge, the 2025 RBC Heritage promises to be a thrilling event once again.