Viktor Hovland throwing darts, Matt Fitzpatrick’s love for Harbour Town and more from Thursday at the RBC Heritage
After dealing with weather delays over the weekend at the Masters, storms once again caused a one-and-a-half-hour-long suspension of play at the RBC Heritage on Thursday. The first round was not completed and will restart Friday morning. Second-round tee times will not be affected.
Before the dark clouds rolled in, Brian Harman was able to fire a 6-under 65 and was sitting in second.
After the round, he was asked how he was able to bounce back after missing the weekend in Augusta and delivered an early candidate for quote of the year.
“I went and I killed a pig Friday night at my farm, and I killed a turkey Saturday morning. I didn’t hit any balls until I got here Tuesday,” Harman said.
If you missed any of the action on Thursday, no worries, we have you covered. Here’s everything you need to know from the opening round at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
RBC Heritage: Friday tee times
Viktor Hovland threw nothing but darts on Day 1
Viktor Hovland of Norway plays his shot from the 13th tee during the first round of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 13, 2023 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Viktor Hovland had a respectable week in Augusta, tying for seventh in his fourth appearance at the Masters despite faltering in the final round. Momentum made the trip with him up the coast as the Norwegian fired an opening-round 7-under 64.
Although he ranked 13th in Strokes Gained: Approach on Thursday, Hovland had inside 20 feet nine times when he hit the green in regulation. Not too shabby.
And when he missed the putting surface, Hovland was four for four getting up and down.
“I hit some really nice shots starting the day but didn’t make the putts,” he said after his round. “It was a little frustrating, but stayed patient and just kept on hitting great shots. Then the putter started heating up, and it felt very stress-free from there on in.”
Hovland’s last win on Tour came at the World Wide Technologies Championship at Mayakoba during the wrap-around season.
Matt Fitzpatrick loves him some Harbour Town Golf Links
It’s no secret Fitzpatrick likes coming to Hilton Head Island.
On top of a decent record at Harbour Town — three top-20 finishes, one of which was a fourth in 2021 — he posted this to social media after completing his first 18.
Enjoying it out there on one of my favourite courses! Day 1 in the books! ✅ pic.twitter.com/86QhhZJae9
— Matt Fitzpatrick (@MattFitz94) April 13, 2023
“I just like the design of the golf course,” he said Thursday afternoon. “I like the area. I think it’s a really tough test. I think it’s a really fair test. If you hit the ball well tee to green, you get rewarded.
“That’s why I like the golf course. Even though I’ve not had my best results around here, it’s high on my list to come and play every year.”
He signed for a first-round 5-under 66 and is two back of Hovland.
In tough weekend conditions last week in Georgia, Fitzpatrick stormed up the leaderboard and finished the year’s first major tied for 10th.
His lone win on Tour came last season at the U.S. Open in Massachusetts.
Masters hangover for Jon Rahm?
Jon Rahm of Spain reacts on the fifth green during the first round of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 13, 2023 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Earlier this week, Rahm was open about feeling fatigued after a marathon finish at Augusta, which ended with him slipping on the green jacket. His focus was to avoid a Masters hangover.
However, Thursday was a bit of a headache early for the Spaniard.
Pulled tee shots, a few three putts and a couple mud balls led to Rahm playing his first 12 holes 2 over. He bounced back nicely with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 12 and 13 before another square on the card at 16.
Rahm finished his round with two pars and signed for a 1-over 72.
Outside of a WD from the Players Championship in March, Rahm’s last missed weekend in a stroke-play event came at the 2021 Fortinet Championship.
Shot of the Day
This was just gross from Cameron Young. Totally blocked out on No. 1 after nearly hitting his drive out of bounds, he turns a huge draw around the pines to inside five feet. Unreal.
Another angle of Cameron Young’s insane approach @RBC_Heritage 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Ug75Yuf78I
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 13, 2023
Friday’s weather forecast
A flag blows in the breeze during the first round of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 13, 2023 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
According to Windy.com, clouds will cover the sky for most of the day Friday with the temperature struggling to reach 70. Rain is possible again in the afternoon and the winds are projected to stay below 10 MPH with gusts up to 16 MPH possible.
