Ludvig Åberg surged to the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the RBC Heritage, posting a dazzling eight‑under‑par 63 that put him one stroke ahead of his fellow Swede and Ryder Cup teammate Viktor Hovland and the American veteran Harris English. The tournament, a PGA Tour Signature Event held at the historic Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina, featured a deep field despite the absence of Rory McIlroy, who had just claimed victory at the Masters a few days earlier. Åberg’s flawless round, free of bogeys and highlighted by eight birdies, underscored his precision with both irons and approach shots, as he repeatedly found the correct side of the flags and converted critical putts on the back nine.
"It was a fantastic scoring day," Åberg said in his post‑round interview. "Being bogey‑free and making eight birdies feels great. The biggest highlight for me was the way my irons performed and how I was able to place my approach shots exactly where I wanted them. I was hitting the flight paths I intended, staying on the right side of the pins, and a few putts on the back nine dropped in that didn’t on the front.
Overall, I’m super‑pleased with today’s performance." The Swedish star’s round placed him ahead of a strong contingent that included England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, who was among six players tied at six‑under, two strokes back. The field also featured seasoned competitors such as Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, who recovered from an out‑of‑bounds tee shot to finish three‑under, and Shane Lowry of Ireland, who posted a one‑under 71 as he tried to rebound from a disappointing final round at Augusta. Meanwhile, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre entered the Heritage with a cloud of controversy still hanging over his name after a tumultuous week at the Masters. He opened with an 80 at Augusta, missed the cut, and later made headlines for an obscene gesture directed at a green during his second round—a moment that sparked speculation about possible disciplinary action, including a potential ban from the following year’s Masters.
MacIntyre later addressed the incident on social media, attempting to downplay its significance, but the incident remained a talking point. Undeterred, the 29‑year‑old turned his focus to the Heritage and delivered a solid five‑under‑par 66 on Thursday, positioning himself three strokes behind Åberg and joining a group of five players within striking distance of the lead. In a candid interview with Sky Sports Golf, MacIntyre spoke openly about the emotional challenges he faced after the Masters and the steps he was taking to manage his reactions.
"Coming off last week’s disappointing performance, I felt comfortable on the course and with my game. I tried to leave the previous week behind me as much as possible," MacIntyre explained.
"I was driving the ball beautifully off the tee and playing aggressively, which gave me plenty of wedge opportunities. I didn’t take many risks in the middle part of the round, which was a bit disappointing, but shooting five under is always a good start." He continued, "I know what I did wasn’t the best way to handle things, but I wear my heart on my sleeve.
I’m working with a mental coach back home to help control my emotions. There’s a lot that happened, and I’m disappointed, but I’m good at moving past it. What people say elsewhere doesn’t affect me—I have my family, friends, and team who keep me grounded.
If I’ve made a mistake, they tell me, and that’s how I live my life. Some people like that, some don’t, but at the end of the day it’s a job, and I aim to perform at my best." Other notable performances on Thursday included Tommy Fleetwood, who struggled and posted a five‑over 76, putting his chances of making the cut in serious jeopardy, and Justin Thomas, who also faltered with a 76.
Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler’s three‑under round demonstrated his resilience after finishing runner‑up to McIlroy at the Masters, showing that he remains a serious contender for the title. The RBC Heritage continues to attract global attention, with live coverage on Sky Sports Golf and streaming options available without a contract. Fans can follow each day’s action, which typically begins at noon local time, and enjoy the scenic backdrop of Harbour Town’s iconic lighthouse and low‑lying marshlands. The tournament also promotes golf tourism across the UK and Ireland, offering discounted rates at over 1,700 courses for players who wish to experience the sport beyond the professional circuit.
As the second round unfolds, the leaderboard is expected to shift, with Åberg aiming to extend his early advantage and MacIntyre seeking to close the gap while maintaining composure after his recent controversy. The mix of emerging talent and seasoned veterans promises an exciting competition, and golf enthusiasts worldwide will be watching closely to see who can navigate the challenges of Harbour Town’s tight fairways and strategic greens to claim the coveted RBC Heritage title.