Report by Anand Datla
April 17, 2015: Anirban Lahiri got off to a terrific start at the RBC Heritage, only to see his advantage dissipate as the round progressed. The Indian golfer made three birdies in the first four holes to get his first round off the blocks in a hurry. Unfortunately though Anirban suffered a 39 on the return stretch to sign off on a two over 73 for the first round at the Harbour Town Golf Links. (Latest Golf News)
Matt Every and Graeme McDowell were standing at the top of the leaderboard after both men shot 66 on Thursday. Korean Sangmoon Bae was lying third, just a solitary shot off the leaders. Masters champion Jordan Spieth showed he was human too – shooting two bogeys, a double bogey and a lone birdie in his round of 73.
Lahiri made birdies at the first two holes, before adding another at the fourth hole. At this point he was inside the top 10 on the dynamic leaderboard, but his joy did not last long. The first bogey of the day came at the par-3 seventh, where he sailed into the right rough before two putting from eight feet.
It was deja vu for Lahiri when he needed two again from ten feet from the pin at the tenth hole. At the par-4 12th, Anirban was wayward at the tee. After landing in the right rough, his second shot sank into the green side bunker on the left. Eventually, he made another five to slip to even par with six left to play.
The world No.35 produced a birdie at the 15th to back under par, but a disastrous 18th hole punched a gaping hole to his card. Anirban flew out of bounds with his tee, forcing him to retake it. It went downhill from there as they struggled to a triple bogey seven.
Both Lahiri and Spieth will have their task cut out on Friday, if they are to make the cut. There are low scores for the taking in South Carolina and the cut line if likely to fall at even or one over, given current trends.
