Before the golf began Thursday at Harbour Town Golf Links, the focus had been on a man named Scottie, who arrived wearing a green jacket but without his wife, who is home expecting a child.
After 18 holes, we’re talking about a man who fired an 8-under-par 63 in front of his wife and newborn daughter named … Scottie. And if he can keep it up for three more days, he could leave with a tartan jacket.
A quirky coincidence, to be sure, but Poston’s quick start at the RBC Heritage presented by Boeing was no accident. He has three top-10s in five starts here, including a tie for third two years ago, and the good vibes were flowing from the first tee Thursday.
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“I’ve had some good weeks here in the past,” Poston said. “When I saw that it was elevated, it’s definitely one of the ones that I had circled on my schedule for the year. It’s one of my favorite events. I’ve played well. I’m just excited to be here.”
Poston made nine birdies in the opening round and takes a two-shot lead into Friday with Collin Morikawa and Seamus Power on his trail and Sahith Theegala and Ludvig Aberg. Scottie’s dad’s scorching start temporarily stole the spotlight from Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top golfer, who overcame an early double-bogey and some missed opportunities to card consecutive birdies at 16 and 17 and finish among a group of 12 tied for 26th at 2 under.
RBC HERITAGE
Round 1 Leaders
J.T. Poston | -8
Seamus Power | -6
Collin Morikawa | -6
Austin Eckroat | -5
Mackenzie Hughes | -5
Sahith Theegala | -5
Patrick Rodgers | -5
Sepp Straka | -5
Ludvig Aberg | -5
“I think today was good to get out of the way,” Scheffler said. “I think getting into the heat of another tournament is good for me mentally. I’ll have a nice long break before I tee off tomorrow, so I’m going to go probably hit a few more putts, get a little bit more used to the speed of the greens and then go put my feet up the rest of the day.”
Poston earned his perch at the top of the leaderboard with an impressive display of iron play, taking advantage of a relatively soft golf course and benign weather to throw darts at Harbour Town’s diabolically small greens. He preyed on the par-5s and used his stellar short game to produce easy up-and-downs for birdies at Nos. 2 at 5 and chipped in for birdie at the par-3 4th, then dialed in his approach game, sticking it inside 20 feet for birdies at Nos. 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, and 16, the last a 3-foot kick-in to get to 8 under.
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His only blemish came at No. 12, where an errant approach shot found the bunker short and right of the green and couldn’t save par.
“I chipped and putted it really well, especially putted it really well,” Poston said. “I felt like it was one of those days where if I could give myself a look, I felt pretty confident in being able to make those putts, whether it was a close one or a 20-, 25-footer. It sort of freed up the tee to green a little bit I guess you could say.”
In the past, even after a terrific start that led to sleeping on the lead, Poston might have spent the whole night pondering minor mistakes or wondering about what-ifs, but he will have other responsibilities to keep him busy this week with the family staying in a two-bedroom condo in Sea Pines along with Poston’s mother, who is helping with childcare.
“It’s definitely an adjustment,” Poston said. “We’ve got plenty of help. We’re just kind of figuring it out. But it’s good to have them here and sort of takes away the pressure of — I’m not worrying about golf when I’m at home. I’m trying to change diapers and take care of her.”
