McDowell, Early share first-round Heritage golf lead

Perhaps all you need to know about Graeme McDowell’s tough year is that his best finish is a tie for 52nd last week at Augusta National Golf Club, a place he loves but a course that repels his game.

He needed a morsel, some motivation to keep his head down and stick to the process. He found a bright spot in a familiar place, working around a breezy opening round at Harbour Town Golf Links with a 5-under-par 66 to share the lead Thursday with Matt Every at the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing.

“We always say you’ve got to stick to process, not get obsessed with results,” said McDowell, who won the 2013 RBC Heritage in a playoff with Webb Simpson. “Every now and then, you need a little something, though, just to keep you happy. I needed something like this.”

The much-anticipated appearance of Masters champion Jordan Spieth began slowly. He shot a 3-over 74, witnessed by large crowds who surged along with the power group that included Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar.

Only Kuchar emerged under par. The 2014 champion wrapped up a 3-under 68 with a par save on the final hole.

Spieth ended a streak of 17 consecutive par-or-better rounds.

“I knew that it may be tough having not played a hole,” said Spieth, who arrived late Tuesday after a media tour in New York City. He’s the first Masters champion to play the Heritage since Zach Johnson in 2007. “It’s tough to start when you’re not prepared. But there are no excuses.”

Harbour Town absorbed more than 2 inches of rain Wednesday night yet won praise for its condition Thursday.

Every, who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, hit only seven greens while shooting 5 under, aided by a pair of chip-ins.

“I just got a ton out of it,” Every said.

McDowell, too, salvaged a solid round after a slow start.

His rough year included withdrawing at the Texas Open two weeks ago with an ankle injury. He said Thursday the ankle is 100 percent and was fine for hilly Augusta last week.

That didn’t translate into a great product in the year’s first major.

McDowell has tinkered in the past with finding more distance, trying to hit the ball higher, some things that might help inside golf’s hallowed gates. Kuchar also talked this week about finding more height in his long irons to attack Augusta National.

But for some, as Every succinctly noted, “that place just isn’t for me.”

Hilton Head Island can be the cure for those weary from the Masters. McDowell talked during his winning week two years ago about enjoying wine with family and friends and walking on the beach.

Maybe that peaceful influence is back.

“There’s always such a good vibe, good food, great atmosphere and great Southern hospitality,” McDowell said. “And it’s such a different golf course than last week.”

He talked about the ease in identifying small targets here compared to the large terrain at Augusta National. Target golf is easier here.

McDowell made birdies on three of his first four holes on the second nine to go out in 32. The wind, as it did during his 2013 victory, made shot selection difficult, McDowell said.

But he has done this before. There is come comfort in what is familiar.

“Some good memories and some good visuals for me on this golf course,” McDowell said. “And it was nice to plug back into some of those and make a few birdies.”

This story was originally published April 16, 2015 at 11:41 PM with the headline "McDowell, Early share first-round Heritage golf lead."