Rory Sabbatini opened with a bogey-free 7-under 64 and will take a two-shot lead into Friday’s second round of the RBC Heritage.
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Sabbatini finished his first day at Harbour Town with seven birdies, highlighted by two-straight to close.
“I just was very conservative out there. I kind of let the round come to me. I didn’t try and press, try and force the birdies,” said Sabbatini, who hit 15 of 18 greens.
“I hit a lot of good shots early, turned around and then just was able to convert a couple.”
Billy Horschel started his round birdie-birdie-birdie en route to a 5-under 66 to sit T2 alongside John Huh, Matt Kuchar, and Chesson Hadley.
“Obviously you always want to get off to a fast start. But the birdie at 10 and 11, two fairly difficult holes out here. It was nice,” said Horschel, who finished with seven birdies against two bogeys.
“And then on 12. Yeah, it was a great start.”
Four more players were tied for sixth at 4-under par including Martin Laird, Patrick Cantlay, Harris Engliush, and Jonas Blixt.
Xander Schauffele, Cameron Smith, and Si Woo Kim were one further back, and lead a group of eight players tied for 10th at 3-under par.
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A logjam of 14 players were tied at 2-under par, headlined by Dustin Johnson, who made three bogeys on his final five holes to tumble down the leaderboard to T20.
Defending champion Wesley Bryan, Webb Simpson, Kevin Kisner, and Ian Poulter were some of the other names tied with the world No. 1.
TOP 10
1 Rory Sabbatini -7
2 John Huh -5
2 Billy Horschel -5
2 Matt Kuchar -5
2 Chesson Hadley -5
6 Harris English -4
6 Martin Laird -4
6 Patrick Cantlay -4
6 Jonas Blixt -4
10 Charles Howell III -3
10 Fabian Gomez -3
10 Peter Malnati -3
10 Bryson DeChambeau -3
10 Nick Watney -3
10 Si Woo Kim -3
10 Cameron Smith -3
10 Xander Schauffele -3
NOTABLES
20 Bill Haas -2
20 Kevin Kisner -2
20 Dustin Johnson -2
20 Wesley Bryan -2
20 Webb Simpson -2
20 Ryan Moore -2
20 Martin Kaymer -2
20 Ian Poulter -2
34 Brian Harman -1
34 Zach Johnson -1
34 Stewart Cink -1
34 Jim Furyk -1
34 Beau Hossler -1
34 Brandt Snedeker -1
49 Jason Dufner E
49 Patton Kizzire E
69 Marc Leishman +1
69 Charley Hoffman +1
69 Emiliano Grillo +1
82 Graeme McDowell +2
82 Kevin Chappell +2
82 Davis Love III +2
110 Paul Casey +4
110 Tyrrell Hatton +4
118 Luke Donald +5
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