Ludvig Åberg signed for a bogey-free, 8-under 63 to take the lead at the RBC Heritage, his lowest opening-round score on the PGA Tour since his 63 at the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open.

“Obviously scoring-wise it was a really good day. Anytime you are bogey free and you make eight birdies, it’s a good day,” said Åberg.

“I felt like the highlight for me was definitely my irons and my approach play. I felt like that was really positive. Felt like I was hitting the flights I was trying to do. I was on the correct side of the flags, those kind of things that I really like to see. Then a few putts went in on the back nine that I didn’t really do on the front.

“Overall, super pleased with today.”

63 ties the Swede’s season low round (R2/The Players Championship). He has notched five consecutive top-25 finishes heading into this week (T20/The Genesis Invitational, T3/ The Genesis Invitational, T5/The Players Championship, T5/Valero Texas Open, T21/The Masters Tournament).

Åberg seeks his third Tour victory and second Signature Event title (2023 RSM Classic, 2025 Genesis Invitational) in his 65th start.

American Harris English carded a bogey-free 64 and lies in a share of second place at 7-under. In nine starts this season, he has finished T30 or better in all but one event (MC/The Players Championship), with T21 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open his best result. He has had one top-10 finish in 12 appearances at the RBC Heritage (T8/2012 in his tournament debut).

Norway’s Viktor Hovland is T2 after a bogey-free round, equaling his lowest round at this event.

American Michael Brennan made one bogey and is T4 at 6-under. He is one of nine players in the field competing in a Signature Event for the first time in their career. He came into this week off a T24 at The Masters Tournament, his best finish this season.

Compatriot Gary Woodland stayed bogey-free for his share of fourth place, his low round at Harbour Town Golf Links (20 rounds). He earned his spot in the field through the Aon Next 10 standings and seeks his second win this season (Texas Children’s Houston Open). The five-time PGA Tour winner has never had a multiple-victory season.

2023 champion Matt Fitzpatrick of England took 20 putts in his opening round, his fewest number of putts in a single round on Tour (620 rounds). He becomes the 10th player to have 20 or fewer putts in a round at the RBC Heritage in the ShotLink Era. Fitzpatrick made one bogey and joined the tie for fourth place at 6-under.

Americans Rickie Fowler (one bogey) and Andrew Novak (one bogey) also share fourth place alongside New Zealand’s Ryan Fox (two bogeys).

Novak lost a playoff to Justin Thomas in his first appearance at this event last year before claiming his first victory the very next week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Ben Griffin as his teammate.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler of the USA fired five birdies and two bogeys for a 68 and lies in T20 at 3-under, snapping his streak of six consecutive opening round scores of 70 or higher with a 3-under 68. His last sub-70 opening round on Tour was 63 at the 2026 American Express which he went on to win.

Related: Old Petty at Cabot Highlands set for official public opening in May 2026

Old Petty sits adjacent to the historic Old Petty Church and enjoys sweeping views across the Moray Firth.