Golf Events / Paul Krishnamurty / 13 April 2010 /

Augusta doesn't suit every type of player and neither does Harbour Town Golf Links - the following trio can overcome poor displays at the Masters at this week's Verizon Heritage Classic

Be wary of drawing simplistic conclusions when weighing up the form ahead of this week's PGA Tour event, the Verizon Heritage Classic, because the course layout is very different to those seen over the past fortnight. First there was the Houston Open at Redstone; a long, wide-open course with large, undulating greens, that owes its pre-Masters slot on the schedule to an uncanny likeness with Augusta. Then there was the real thing, where again the big-hitters enjoyed a significant advantage.

Harbour Town Golf Links is a completely different animal. This Pete Dye creation is one of the few links-style layouts in the US, and is all about accuracy, rather than power. In stark contrast to Augusta, the greens here are much smaller than average, and there is also one less par-five. Besides the odd world-class exception, a different type of player has tended to make the frame here, compared to the previous week at the Masters.

So while the following three players all missed the cut at Augusta, there's every chance they can bounce back immediately. In fact, missing the weekend cut may now work to their advantage, as they will be fresher than most.

Luke Donald [36.0]

A lack of driving distance has always been Luke's great weakness, and usually proves costly around layouts like Redstone and Augusta. I'm perfectly happy, therefore, to overlook his pair of missed cuts over the past fortnight. Previously, he'd looked in his best form for ages, particularly when second at Riviera and sixth in the Transitions Championship. Moreover, as he was runner-up here last year, we already know Luke has the tools to conquer Harbour Town.

Kevin Na [46.0]

Debutants usually struggle at Augusta, so Na's 74/76 score is barely of any use as a form guide. It makes more sense to consider his previous effort, when finishing runner-up at Bay Hill. Na is fast emerging as one of the best players yet to win on the PGA Tour, registering 12 top-10 finishes since the beginning of 2009, and is fancied to make the breakthrough this term. Harbour Town looks as likely a venue as any, as he's already made the top-20 three times here, including fourth in 2007. The small greens particularly suit his game, as he is one of the most precise iron players around.

Ben Curtis [70.0]

For obvious reasons, given its linksy characteristics, Open champions tend to go well here. Justin Leonard and Stewart Cink have won three Heritage titles between them, for instance, while Ernie Els has a superb course record without ever winning. It is therefore something of a surprise that Curtis has yet to make any serious impact here. Besides the links element, his best form tends to come on short courses that demand accuracy.

In fairness, those Harbour Town failures may be explained by the fact that Curtis has never been the most consistent player, and he could well improve on them this week. Prior to the Masters, where he has only ever performed badly, Ben had very much taken the eye with top-15s at Redstone and Bay Hill, registering some impressive greens in regulation stats in the process.

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