With much less fanfare and drama, the PGA Tour returned to action Thursday morning on Hilton Head with the 2013 RBC Heritage. It obviously does not have the draw of Augusta National, but Harbour Town is considered by most touring pros to be the best non-major course they play all year, and as such, it draws a solid field for the week immediately following a major.
RBC Heritage 2013 leaderboard: Brian Davis holds early lead over Jason Day, Marc Leishman
Two Aussies who were at the top of the board at Augusta are chasing Brian Davis, who made a name for himself at this even three years ago after a playoff rules violation.
Streeter Lecka
The morning wave set a brisk pace, with much of the field getting into red figures and in the 60s. Brian Davis is the early leader after turning in an opening round 65 to get to 6-under. Davis, of course, has a bit of history here, as this was where he called a penalty on himself in a playoff with Jim Furyk three years ago. The penalty, which no one really saw but Davis, cost him the tournament and he conceded there on the 18th. Here’s a bit more on that incident, which is still often cited whenever a rules controversy pops up (via PGATour)
Davis was even brought up last week at the Masters when several golf media members were calling for Tiger Woods to disqualify himself. It was the closest call of the Englishman’s PGA Tour career, and he’s still searching for that first win this week. The course obviously suits him, and he currently holds a two-shot lead over the rest of the field.
Part of that group two shots back includes two Aussies who were at the top of the leaderboard throughout the week at Augusta -- Marc Leishman and Jason Day. Both players expressed their happiness for Adam Scott, who broke the country’s drought at the Masters (Leishman was even seen fist-pumping in the background as his playing partner rolled in the putt on No. 18). It came as some form of consolation to their near miss, but Day, who’s one of the more likable guys on Tour, was obviously emotional on Sunday afternoon after his round. SB Nation’s Adam Fonseca wrote Thursday morning about Day’s transition from the Masters disappointment to Hilton Head, and things seem to be running smoothly through 18 holes at 4-under.
With half the field still on the course, here are leaders, as well as some notables, from the morning wave:
| Score | Player | Thru |
| -6 | Brian Davis | F |
| -4 | Jason Day | F |
| -4 | Marc Leishman | F |
| -3 | Bo Van Pelt | F |
| -3 | Webb Simpson | F |
| -3 | Carl Pettersson | F |
| -3 | Bill Haas | F |
| -1 | Stewart Cink | F |
| -1 | Jim Furyk | F |
For a live leaderboard, visit Golf.com.
See More:
