Thomas equals course record to lead RBC Heritage

RBC Heritage first-round leaderboard

-10 J Thomas (US), -7 R Henley (US), S Scheffler (US), -6 W Clark (US)

Other notables: -5 M Fitzpatrick (Eng), -4 J Rose (Eng), and T Fleetwood (Eng).

Justin Thomas set a course record by leading by three shots after the RBC Heritage first round.

At Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina, Thomas birdied 11 holes for a 10-under-par 61.

The 31-year-old American leads compatriots Russell Henley and world number one Scottie Scheffler in the pursuit of their first victories since taking home his second major at the US PGA Championship in 2022.

After posting a first-round score of 66, former US Open champion Wyndham Clark is one shot further back, while Matt Fitzpatrick is in a group of five under.

Justin Rose, who lost to Rory McIlroy in a play-off at the Masters, is tied for 10th after hitting 67 in his first round.

Thomas set the tone with six birdies on the front nine, before recovering from a bogey on the 10th with five birdies in six holes on the back nine.

Thomas remarked, “I feel like I didn’t do anything crazy.”