Brandon Grace carded this fifth sub-par round at Hilton Head Golf Links on Thursday, and it was a 66 to co-lead the RBC Heritage with Luke Donald.
Last year Grace tied for seventh and this time around he’s the 14th-best golfer in the world and off to flying start. The 27-year-old has laid his putting woes to rest and included a 25-foot bomb for birdie at the 13th in his flat stick performance on Thursday.
He applied a plethora of shots, most notably playing a Seve-esque bump-and-run to set up a birdie at the par-five 15th on his way to a round of six-under-par.
‘I like this place. It’s short and fitly,’ he said. ‘There are a couple of shots that I’ve got up my sleeve, that I like hitting, that I grew up hitting and (they) go well with this place.’
Grace’s round was founded on a hot start that included birdies at the first and second holes. He added a further two gains to turn in 32.
He gave back a shot with a bogey at the 16th, but was otherwise flawless during the first round.
He’ll be revved up to continue his quest for a PGA Tour victory.
