Tyrrell in the driving seat for a second title

Following Nick Watney’s positive test for Covid-19 on Friday, the focus was firmly back on the golf at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Links – and it did not disappoint.

Low scores were the order of the day, with the British contingent taking their chances to push up the leaderboard at the second event on the PGA Tour since its resumption.

Tyrrell Hatton, who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational for his first Stateside success in March, blasted his way through the field to end the day in a four-way tie for the lead on 15-under-par, following an eight-under 63.

He shares the top billing with Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, Webb Simpson and Ryan Palmer.

The quartet are a shot ahead of Daniel Berger, last week’s winner at Colonial, Carlos Ortiz and Joel Dahmen, with all three also shooting 63s.

In an eight-man group on 13-under-par are England’s Ian Poulter, who fired a 67, and Matthew Fitzpatrick (68) along with European Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia after signing for a 65.

Matt Wallace is on 11-under-par in a share of 22nd, while Rory Mcilroy added a third-round 66 to lie in a tie for 28th on 10-under.

The Northern Irishman said of Watney: “I think the consensus was someone is going to get it at some point, and Nick’s the one that’s got it. He’s self-isolating and doing what he has to do.”

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour yesterday released a statement saying: “With Friday’s confirmed Covid19 case of a competitor, the PGA Tour implemented its response plan in consultation with medical experts, including working with those who may have had close contact with Nick Watney.

“As a result, 11 tests were conducted on Friday with all 11 tests being negative.”