Justin Thomas followed up his sizzling 61 with a two-under par 69 on April 18, 2025, at the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, maintaining a two-shot lead atop the leaderboard. This prestigious event, boasting a hefty $20 million purse, has Thomas chasing his first victory since he clinched his second PGA Championship title in 2022.
"The golf course felt completely different," said Thomas, reflecting on the conditions. "It’s definitely firming up. We even noticed it just kind of on some chips, the pitch shots, some wedges – shots that I hit very nicely, it’s not spinning as much. They’re getting crusty, and it’s fun." Despite the challenges, Thomas managed to keep his composure throughout the day.
Initially, Thomas was even for the day after two birdies and two bogeys in the first 10 holes. However, he found his rhythm as he rolled in a critical 15-foot birdie putt at the 13th hole, followed by another birdie on the par-five 15th, which solidified his lead. He now sits at 11-under 131, two strokes clear of South Korean Kim Si-Woo and American Russell Henley.
Kim produced the round of the day, firing an impressive seven-under par 64, which included an eagle and six birdies, with only one bogey marring his scorecard. "It was a good round," said Kim, who expressed his motivation after missing out on a spot in the Masters the previous week. "I got so frustrated last week watching the Masters. But somehow I’ve got to move on." His best shot of the day came at the par-five fifth hole, where he landed his second shot six feet from the pin, setting up an eagle.
Russell Henley joined Kim at 10-under 132 after carding a three-under par 68, which featured four birdies. Henley’s consistent performance has kept him in contention as the tournament progresses.
In fourth place, American Andrew Novak posted a six-under par 65, bringing his total to 133, and is tied with England's Tommy Fleetwood, who signed for a 66. Both players are looking to capitalize on their strong play as they head into the weekend.
World number one and defending champion Scottie Scheffler is lurking just behind, sitting at 9-under after a one-under par 70, tied with Canadian Mackenzie Hughes. This tight leaderboard sets the stage for an exciting weekend at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Notably, there is no 36-hole cut at this event, allowing all 72 competitors to continue their pursuit of the title. Among those struggling near the back are Max Homa (even par), Sahith Theegala (one over), Will Zalatoris (three over), Canada's Adam Hadwin (four over), and Nick Dunlap (seven over). Theegala, who was the runner-up to Scheffler at this tournament last season, will be looking to turn his performance around.
Despite battling an errant driver, which saw Thomas hit just seven of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens in regulation, his short game proved to be a saving grace. He executed solid par saves on the 12th and 14th holes, showcasing his resilience and skill under pressure.
Thomas, now 31, expressed his determination to end a title drought that has included several near misses. "I’d say the majority of (coming close) has just been pressing and trying too hard," he admitted. "All of us, I would assume, want to win so bad, and I want to win so bad. That’s something I feel like I did so, so well there for a couple of years is I just let tournaments come to me and I just trusted in my ability."
In light of his recent performances, Thomas emphasized the importance of trusting his game and committing to his strategy. "I have a lot of faith and confidence in what I can do. So, I just need to let it happen," he concluded.
Adding to the dynamics of his game, Thomas is relying on his new temporary caddie, Joe Greiner, as his regular caddie, Matt Minister, is sidelined with a back injury. "We’ve had a lot of fun," Thomas shared. "He knows I’m playing well, and he knows that I feel the same way. So he’s wanting to help but also trying to not over-caddie, and it’s tough. But he’s doing a great job."
As the RBC Heritage progresses, all eyes will be on Thomas as he attempts to fend off challengers and secure his first victory since 2022. With the weekend ahead, the excitement is palpable, and fans are eager to see if Thomas can maintain his lead and end his title drought.
