J.T. Poston's entourage at this week's RBC Heritage is notably larger—and noisier—thanks to a special new addition. For the first time, Poston and his family are traveling with their newborn daughter, Scottie, who seems to be bringing a stroke of luck to her father’s game. Poston has surged to the front, leading by two strokes with an impressive first-round score of 8-under 63.
Poston expressed his contentment and the adjustments that come with the new family dynamics. "It’s definitely a shift, but my wife and I are finding our way through it," he shared. "Having my mom here to assist has been invaluable. It feels like we're all settling into our new routine.”
Scottie, named after a cherished family name, was born on March 20, shortly after THE PLAYERS Championship concluded. Poston, having taken a brief hiatus, returned to the tour starting with the Masters, and now the RBC Heritage, which is conveniently close to their home in St. Simons, has turned into a family outing. "We’ve managed well in our two-bedroom condo. My mom’s staying with us, and Scottie has her own little space," he explained. "My wife was incredibly supportive last night, taking care of the baby so I could rest. It’s a routine we might stick to."
Maintaining this routine seems beneficial, as Poston notched nine birdies in his Thursday round, with a spectacular front nine performance that set a solid foundation for his lead. His game was strong particularly around the green and in putting, where he finished second.
Poston reflected on his strategy, noting his growing confidence with putts of all distances. "There was a sense of freedom in my game from tee to green," he remarked.
Despite a recent dip in form since leaving the West Coast, with no top 25 finishes in the latest tournaments, Poston remains philosophical about the seasonal ups and downs. "It’s challenging to consistently hit top form," he admitted.
Now, with his family by his side and a strong start at the Harbour Town Golf Links, Poston hinted that Scottie’s presence might be a lucky charm. "Having them here definitely eases the pressures of the game. At home, it’s all about family responsibilities, not golf," he added.
In contrast, Scottie Scheffler experienced a challenging day after his Masters victory. Despite a rocky start and some initial frustrations, Scheffler managed to regain his form by the end of his round. "The day was a mix of frustration and motivation, which actually helped me focus," Scheffler noted.
Both players demonstrated resilience and adaptability, with Poston enjoying the comforts of family and Scheffler navigating post-victory pressures. As the tournament progresses, their performances will be closely watched, especially with Poston's promising start and Scheffler’s proven track record of recovery.
