Ludvig Åberg took the lead after the opening round of the RBC Heritage as Robert MacIntyre made a strong start following his controversial showing at The Masters.
With the PGA Tour resuming days after Rory McIlroy’s triumph at Augusta, Åberg produced a superb eight-under 63 at Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina to open a one-shot lead over Ryder Cup team-mate Viktor Hovland and American Harris English.
In a strong Signature Event field, England’s Matt Fitzpatrick was among a group of six players two shots off the lead at six under.
Åberg said: “Obviously, scoring-wise it was a really good day. Anytime you are bogey free and you make eight birdies, it’s a good day. I felt like the highlight for me was definitely my irons and my approach play. I felt like that was really positive. Felt like I was hitting the flights I was trying to do. I was on the correct side of the flags… Overall, super-pleased with today.”
MacIntyre had a difficult week at Augusta, missing the cut after an opening 80 and being seen making an obscene gesture on the course during his second round. He later referenced the gesture on social media, prompting speculation about possible sanctions, including talk of a Masters ban.
The 29-year-old put that behind him to shoot five under on Thursday, leaving him among a group three shots off Åberg’s lead.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler recovered from hitting his first shot out of bounds to card a three-under round as he looks to bounce back from finishing runner-up to McIlroy at the Masters.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry finished one under as he attempted to recover from a disappointing final round at Augusta, while England’s Tommy Fleetwood struggled to five over and American Justin Thomas posted a 76.
Speaking to Sky Sports Golf after his round, MacIntyre reflected on managing his emotions: “Coming off last week, a disappointing performance, I was comfortable with the golf course, comfortable with my game… Trying to put as much of last week behind me as I could. I’m driving it beautifully off the tee, I’m being aggressive off the tee, which gives me a lot of wedges around here… I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m trying my best to control the emotions. I work with someone back home. And yeah, there was a lot going on, and I’m disappointed with that, but I’m very good at putting things behind me.”
Coverage of the RBC Heritage continues on Sky Sports Golf each day of the tournament.