Share

Donald, Grace share lead in LA

Los Angeles - Former world number one Luke Donald, stung by his failure to qualify for this month's Masters, was pleased to produce a straightforward 66 on Thursday for a share of the RBC Heritage first-round lead.

"It was a pretty simple 66," said England's Donald, who had six birdies and a bogey in a five-under effort that left him tied with South Africa's Branden Grace at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

They had a one-shot lead over a quartet of players led by world number one Jason Day of Australia and including Sweden's David Lingmerth and Americans Matt Kuchar and Tony Finau.

"I didn't have to scramble very hard and was able to just put it in good positions," added Donald, who rolled in birdie putts of 15 feet, 16 feet, six feet and five feet.

That's a step in the right direction for a player who said attempts to rebuild his swing had ultimately hurt his game, costing him sharpness in his short game and putting.

Harbour Town might be just the place for Donald to reverse his fortunes. He owns five runner-up finishes in the Heritage, the most heart-breaking a defeat to Matt Kuchar's chip-in from a bunker two years ago.

Grace, playing the Heritage for the second time, also fired six birdies and a bogey to grab his share of the lead in tricky, windy conditions.

"It was not the best ball-striking day, but nothing's easy on a day like today with the wind blowing all over the show," Grace said.

Day's five birdies included a 27-footer at the par-four 11th. He fell out of a share of the lead with his only bogey of the day at 18, where he took an unplayable lie in a greenside bunker.

"I played some nice golf," Day said. "Obviously that wasn't the finish I wanted. I shouldn't have been in the bunker in the first place. Today was the easiest day and now we got three tough days coming up."

Day is coming off a respectable finish where he contended in The Masters, the first of four major championships in 2016.

"It is always tough to play the week after a major championship," he said. "I wasn't pleased with how I hit it on Sunday (at Masters). So I came in here Monday to get in a good hitting session."

Reigning US Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau made his pro debut and hit a 70.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the US PGA Tour RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina (USA unless noted):

66 - Luke Donald (ENG), Branden Grace (RSA)

67 - Matt Kuchar, David Lingmerth (SWE), Tony Finau, Jason Day (AUS)

68 - Kim Si-Woo (KOR), Fabian Gomez (ARG), Charley Hoffman, George McNeill, Johnson Wagner, Kevin Chappell, Spencer Levin, Scott Pinckney

69 - Francesco Molinari (ITA), Charles Howell, Tommy Gainey, David Toms, Patton Kizzire, William McGirt, Graham DeLaet (CAN), Zac Blair, Bill Haas, Stuart Appleby (AUS)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE