Hilton Head, SC ….

Luke Donald is yet another European drawing inspiration from last Sunday’s Masters thriller in storming his way to the front early with a six under par 65 on day one of the RBC Heritage Classic at Hilton Head in South Carolina.

Donald, 39 has been runner-up four times in the $US 6.3m event including sharing second place last year with Scot Russell Knox.

And at end of the first round Donald found himself in a three way share of second and one behind American Bud Cauley.

Luke Donald delighted to shoot a round of 65

Since Donald was last here Hurricane Matthew slammed into the South Carolina Harbor Town course last October wreaking destruction including taking out some 35o trees.

Donald continue to show his fondness for the course birding two of his opening three holes and mid round picking off birdies at his eighth and ninth holes before eagling the first that he was playing as his 1Oth.

“It was nice to come straight out of the blocks with a 66 as it is not an easy place and you can easily stumble,” he said.

“But having watched Sergio and Justin, and two players I know so well, fighting it out for the Masters last week was inspiring given I had grown up competing alongside both and who you have compared your careers with over the years.

“Sergio has so much talent and I was not surprised he got it done eventually.”

And the European dominance continued in South Carolina with Ireland’s Shane Lowry holing a monster at the last in a 66 while both double Major winning Martin Kaymer and Londoner Andrew “Beef” Johnston were in the clubhouse with 68s.

While Danny Willett, and in his first event since the Masters, will be looking for a brighter second round after carding a level 71 that included two birdies and just as many pars.