Ludvig Åberg took the lead after the opening round at RBC Heritage with a strong start after Robert MacIntyre’s controversial performance at The Masters.
With the PGA Tour resuming just days after Rory McIlroy won Augusta National, Sweden’s Åberg shot a superb 8-under 63 to move one stroke ahead of Ryder Cup teammate Viktor Hovland and American Harris English.
In a very strong field for the top-level signature event at Harbor Town Golf Links in South Carolina, although McIlroy will not feature, Great Britain’s Matt Fitzpatrick is among a group of six players who are two strokes off the lead at 6 under par.
Åberg said: “Obviously it was a really good day scoring-wise. No bogeys and eight birdies, that’s a good day.
“I think the highlight for me was definitely the irons and the approach play. That felt really positive. I felt like I was hitting the flight I was trying to make. I was on the right side of the flag, those are the things you really want to see. Then I made a few putts that I didn’t really make on the front, and then I got into the back nine.
“Overall I am very satisfied with today.”
Ludvig Åberg shot an excellent 8 under par in the opening round.
MacIntyre had a difficult week at Augusta National, missing the cut after a first-round 80, and was seen making an obscene gesture on one of the course’s famous greens during the second round.
The Scot revealed his lewd gesture on social media, leading some to speculate he could face the extreme punishment of being banned from next year’s Masters.
But the 29-year-old shot 5 under par on Thursday, putting him in a group of five players who finished three strokes behind Åberg.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler recovered from his first shot out of bounds of the round to finish at 3 under par as he attempted to bounce back from a second-place finish behind McIlroy at the Masters.
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Shane Lowry talks about the ‘tough few days’ after last week’s Masters and not being able to celebrate with fellow Irishman Rory McIlroy, who won his second successive tournament.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry shot 1 under par to bounce back from a disappointing final round of The Masters, which was contested until Sunday.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood was on the verge of missing the cut after finishing 5 over par, and America’s Justin Thomas also had trouble shooting a 76.
McIntyre: I’m trying my best to control my emotions.
McIntyre said Sky Sports Golf After finishing the round, I took on the challenge of controlling my emotions.
He said: “I had a disappointing performance last week. I felt comfortable with the golf course and the game and the game was in good shape. I tried to put a lot of last week behind me.
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Robert MacIntyre speaks to Sky Sports Golf about his disappointment at the Masters and his actions on the iconic Augusta National course.
“I’m driving it off the tee beautifully and I’m aggressive off the tee, so I’m getting a lot of wedges around here. It was a little disappointing that I didn’t take many chances in the middle of the round, but 5 under is always a good place to start.
“I know what I did wasn’t the best way to do things, but look, I’m pulling myself together. I’m trying my best to control my emotions. I work with someone at home. And yes, there’s been a lot going on and I’m disappointed about it, but I’m very good at putting things off.”
“What other people say doesn’t faze me. I have my family, my friends, my teammates. These are the people I really listen to. And if I do something wrong, they tell me.
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McIntyre made an aggressive gesture after spotting water on the 15th hole at Augusta National Golf Club.
“And that’s how I live my life. I just do what I want, what I want – not just personally, but with my family and friends. And we do business the way we want to do it.
“Some people like it, some people don’t, but at the end of the day, it’s a job and I come out here and try to do my best.”
Watch RBC Heritage live on Sky Sports Golf. Coverage of PGA Tour signature events begins at 12pm each day of the tournament. Access or stream Sky Sports with no contract.
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