Ludvig Åberg surged to the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the RBC Heritage, while Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre posted a solid opening round after the drama that surrounded his performance at The Masters. The PGA Tour returned to action just days after Rory McIlroy’s victory at Augusta, and the Swedish rookie delivered an impressive eight‑under‑par 63, putting him one stroke ahead of his Ryder Cup teammate Viktor Hovland and American Harris English. The field at Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina was exceptionally strong for a Signature Event, even though McIlroy was absent.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick was among a group of six players who sat two shots back at six under par, illustrating the depth of competition. Åberg reflected on his round, saying, “From a scoring perspective it was a fantastic day. When you avoid bogeys completely and rack up eight birdies, you know you’ve played well.” He highlighted his iron play and approach shots as the key factors, noting that his ball flights were on target and he was consistently on the right side of the pins.

“A few putts on the back‑nine dropped in that didn’t on the front, and overall I’m super‑pleased with today,” he added. MacIntyre’s story was a stark contrast.

He endured a difficult week at Augusta National, missing the cut after an opening‑round 80 and later being caught on camera making an obscene gesture on a green during his second round. The incident sparked speculation that he could face severe sanctions, possibly even a ban from next year’s Masters. However, the 29‑year‑old quickly turned the page, shooting a five‑under‑par 66 on Thursday at Harbour Town, which placed him three shots behind Åberg and in a five‑player group vying for the lead. World No.

1 Scottie Scheffler also showed resilience, rebounding from a disastrous first shot that went out of bounds to finish three under par. Scheffler is eager to recover after finishing runner‑up to McIlroy at The Masters.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s Shane Lowry posted a one‑under‑par round as he attempted to bounce back from a disappointing final round at Augusta, where he had been in contention up until Sunday. England’s Tommy Fleetwood faced a serious threat of missing the cut after a five‑over‑par round, and American Justin Thomas also struggled, carding a 76. MacIntyre, speaking to Sky Sports Golf after his round, opened up about the emotional challenge of moving past his Masters controversy.

He said, “Coming off last week’s disappointing performance, I felt comfortable on the course and with my game, which has been in good shape. I tried to leave as much of last week behind me as possible.” He praised his tee shots, describing them as “beautifully driven and aggressive,” which gave him a wealth of wedge options. Although he felt he didn’t take enough risks in the middle of the round, he was pleased with a five‑under start. He continued, “I know what I did wasn’t ideal, but I wear my heart on my sleeve and I’m working hard to control my emotions.

I have a support team back home, and they keep me grounded. If I make a mistake, they tell me straight away.” MacIntyre emphasized that external criticism doesn’t affect him; his family, friends, and team are the voices that matter. “Some people like my style, some don’t, but at the end of the day it’s a job, and I’m here to perform the best I can,” he concluded.

The RBC Heritage continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf, with daily coverage starting at noon. Fans can also stream the tournament without a contract, ensuring easy access to the action. For those looking to play a round themselves, Sky Sports offers discounted rates at more than 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, searchable by location. The tournament’s schedule remains part of the 2026 PGA Tour calendar, promising more exciting golf in the weeks to come.