Justin Thomas Sets Course Record at 2025 RBC Heritage
In a remarkable display of golf prowess, Justin Thomas established a new course record during the first round of the 2025 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links. The two-time major champion completed the round with an impressive score of 10-under 61, tying the long-standing record held by David Frost and Troy Merritt.
Historic Performance
This performance marks the lowest first-round score in the history of the RBC Heritage and positions Thomas as the first player on the PGA Tour in 2025 to achieve multiple rounds of 62 or lower. This follows his record-tying round at TPC Sawgrass during the 2025 Players Championship last month.
Throughout his career, Thomas has now recorded 14 rounds of 62 or better, leading the PGA Tour in this impressive metric over the last 40 years, three rounds ahead of the competition and five beyond Tiger Woods.
Game Strategy and Execution
“I just played really solid. I feel like I didn’t do anything crazy,” said Thomas following his round. “I just drove the ball well, which is very, very important out here. … I had a lot of good numbers.” His strategy involved a balanced approach to aggressive play on the course, where he successfully landed 16 greens in regulation and maintained a perfect scrambling rate of 5-for-5. This level of precision allowed him to dictate play without relying heavily on distance off the tee.
Thomas’s approach shots were key to his success, gaining nearly four strokes with his wedges and complementing this with strong putting, which accounted for an additional 2.50 strokes. Although he missed a birdie opportunity from inside five feet on the final hole—an opportunity to secure the record alone—he nonetheless finished with 11 birdies, sharing the top mark in the record books.
Leading the Pack
At the conclusion of the first round, Thomas held a three-stroke advantage over prominent competitors, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Russell Henley, both of whom finished with scores of 7-under 64. Former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark also performed well, carding a 65 and positioning himself four strokes back from Thomas.
Course Conditions and Competitive Insights
Reflecting on his time at Harbour Town, Thomas said, “I love it. I wish we played more places like it. … It’s a really cool place that requires you to think on every single shot you’re hitting.” As the tournament progresses, the unique challenge posed by the course’s design will continue to test the players, particularly as conditions evolve.
Other Notable Competitors
- 2. Scottie Scheffler: -7
- 2. Russell Henley: -7
- 4. Wyndham Clark: -6
- T5. Brian Campbell, Matt Fitzpatrick, J.J. Spaun, Gary Woodland, Brian Harman: -5
- T10. Patrick Cantlay, Tommy Fleetwood, Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Keegan Bradley, Ryan Gerard, Stephan Jaeger, Matt Kuchar, Eric Cole, Sami Valimaki, Max Greyserman: -4
Looking Ahead
As Thomas aims to secure his first win since 2022, he faces the challenge of maintaining focus and consistency. Despite showcasing his formidable skills previously, he has struggled to follow up strong rounds. “It’s a totally different style of golf. I’ve been playing really well, really solid… It was just about going out and doing it, and it was nice to do so,” Thomas remarked.
Betting Odds
Current odds from FanDuel Sportsbook indicate the following:
- Scottie Scheffler: 2-1
- Justin Thomas: 9/4
- Russell Henley: 9-1
- Wyndham Clark: 22-1
- Patrick Cantlay: 25-1
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Thomas as well as contenders like Scheffler and Henley, each aiming for victory at this prestigious event.