How close is RBC to saving the Heritage?

From this week's issue of Golf World Monday:

The search for a new sponsor for the Heritage has made Steve Wilmot, the tournament director, physically ill from worry after Verizon pulled out of the Hilton Head stop last year and left the event scrambling to stay alive in 2011.

An exciting playoff won by Brandt Snedeker, a compelling subplot with Luke Donald ascending to No. 1 with a victory, and gorgeous weather accentuating Harbour Town GL had to make him feel better. But the best medicine will likely be delivered in the coming days when Royal Bank of Canada is expected to ride to the rescue and save the tourney.

Several players and sources related to the tournament told Golf World that RBC is close to signing a four-year sponsorship deal. Talk about timing: RBC already received nice exposure with two of its players, Donald (shown) and Jim Furyk, in the final pairing.

So the good news is that one of the players' favorite events held on one of the PGA Tour's most revered layouts probably isn't going away or getting replaced by a TPC near you. Score one for the little guys.*

-- Dave Shedloski

(Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)