HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Justin Thomas found his rhythm on Thursday, tying the course record at Harbour Town Golf Links with an impressive 10-under 61 to lead the RBC Heritage. With 11 birdies to his name, Thomas showcased a stellar performance that left little room for complaint, despite missing two crucial putts from just five feet.
On a day marked by pristine weather conditions, Thomas's only blemish came on the 10th hole, where he recorded his lone bogey. He also missed a chance to break the course record on the 18th, where his birdie putt lipped out. “I feel like I didn't do anything crazy,” Thomas reflected after his round. “Just kind of got rolling with it.”
Thomas's round was a continuation of his recent strong play, having tied the course record at Dye’s Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass with a 10-under 62 just last month. The 2021 Players Championship winner has now recorded 14 rounds of 62 or better on Tour since 2015, showcasing his prowess on the greens.
“I wish we played more places like it,” Thomas said of Harbour Town. “I think more architects should design places like this. It kind of stands the test of time, I think.” He praised the course's design, noting that it requires strategic thinking on every shot. “You can't get lazy,” he added, emphasizing the challenge posed by the firm fairways and greens.
Thomas rolled in an impressive 165 feet of putts during his round, including notable efforts of 33 feet at the fourth hole, 36 feet at the seventh, and a remarkable 38-footer on the 17th. “Another snake in the cup for Thomas,” PGA Tour Radio’s Fred Albers exclaimed as Thomas sank his final birdie of the day. “Outrageous, egregious, preposterous, he’s 10 under par.”
However, Thomas wasn't the only player taking advantage of the favorable scoring conditions. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, who finished tied for fourth at the Masters last week, shot a bogey-free 7-under 64. Scheffler birdied six holes on the front nine and shared second place with Russell Henley, who also carded a 64 after finishing strong with four birdies in the last five holes.
“I will never say that golf is easy, ever. Golf is hard,” Scheffler joked after his round. He explained how, despite a few tricky moments, he managed to keep his game in check and avoid scrambling for par. “Overall, yeah, I would say stress-free day,” he concluded.
Henley, the winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, demonstrated his form and remained close to Thomas with his strong finish. Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 RBC Heritage champion, matched Brian Campbell and J.J. Spaun with a 65, showing that the competition was fierce.
As the day progressed, the average score on the course was 69.2, with 50 players breaking par in the 72-man field. Thomas's performance stood out, ranking first in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green and second in Strokes Gained: Putting, a reflection of his all-around game.
Reflecting on his recent struggles, Thomas noted that he was seeking his first victory since the 2022 PGA Championship. After finishing T-36 at the Masters, where he was 13 shots behind, he put in extra work leading into the RBC Heritage. “I’ve been playing really well, really solid. Felt good about things,” he stated. “It was just about going out and doing it, and it was nice to do so.”
Thomas's best shot of the day came on the 18th hole, where he hit an 8-iron approach from 180 yards to within five feet of the pin. He expressed disappointment at missing the birdie putt that could have shattered the course record but remained upbeat about his lead. “It feels like the easiest walk in the world compared to last week,” he said, referring to the demanding conditions at the Masters. “You walk off the golf course four days in a row feeling like you’ve been kicked in the teeth.”
As Thomas continues to lead the RBC Heritage, he will look to maintain his momentum and secure that elusive victory. With a strong field behind him, including the likes of Scheffler and Henley, the coming rounds promise to be thrilling. Thomas is clearly on a mission, and if his Thursday performance is any indication, he’s more than capable of achieving his goal.
With the tournament still in its early stages, fans are eagerly anticipating how the rest of the field will respond to Thomas's remarkable opening round. Will he be able to hold onto his lead and claim victory at Harbour Town? Only time will tell.
