RBC Heritage: Justin Thomas Takes Early Lead, Scottie Scheffler Close Behind

Justin Thomas shoots 10-under 61 to lead the RBC Heritage by three shots. Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley are tied for second.

Justin Thomas is dominating the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head, South Carolina, with a sensational opening round. The 31-year-old two-time major champion shot a 10-under-par 61, carding 11 birdies and just one bogey on the Harbour Town Golf Links. This impressive performance has given Thomas a three-shot lead over the rest of the field.

Thomas thrived in the tight fairways and firm conditions of the links course, saying, “I just played really solid.” He attributed his success to solid driving and strategic shot placement, adding, “I feel like I didn't do anything crazy; I just drove the ball well and put the ball in a spot that I had a lot of good numbers.”

After a disappointing finish at the Masters last weekend, Thomas put in extra work to prepare for the RBC Heritage. “I didn't play well last week. Put some really good work in leading into the start today and I felt prepared - it was just about going out and doing it, and it was nice to do so,” he said. With a strong start, Thomas is looking to make a statement at the $20 million signature event.

Defending champion and world number one Scottie Scheffler is hot on Justin Thomas's heels, tied for second alongside Russell Henley at seven under par. Scheffler had a stellar round, carding seven birdies without a single bogey to score a bogey-free 64.

ELEVEN birdies and a tied course record! 🤯

What an opening round for Justin Thomas! @RBC_Heritage 👏 pic.twitter.com/QLvp9VkStE

— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) April 17, 2025

After finishing fourth at the Masters, three shots behind winner Rory McIlroy, Scheffler reflected on the difference between his recent performances and today's round. “I felt like if you compared my four rounds last week to today, today would be a much less stressful round of golf in terms of scrambling for a par,” he said. Scheffler attributed his success to being in position throughout the day, adding, “A lot of the stuff I had to do last week I felt like I didn't have to do today to shoot a good score... I was in position most of the day today.”

Wyndham Clark sits four shots behind leader Justin Thomas after a solid opening round of 6-under-par 65 at the RBC Heritage. Clark, who tweaked his back earlier in the week, revealed that he's feeling better now and his game is on track.

In-form golfer Brian Harman, fresh from his Texas Open win, is just one shot further back, tied with England's Matt Fitzpatrick and three other players at 5-under-par. “I've been waiting on some good golf,” Harman said, expressing optimism about his form. ”I've been playing a lot better than I've been scoring, so I'm just going to try and take advantage of this good form and see what I can make out of it.”

Justin Rose, another English golfer, is tied for 10th place with 10 other players at 4-under-par. Rose ended his round on a high note with back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th holes, keeping him in contention after a tough Masters loss to Rory McIlroy last weekend.