By Seth Kerr

GolfWRX Staff Writer

Colt Knost, Chad Campbell and Vaughan Taylor are tied for the lead at 4-under at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links.

The course, which has under gone some subtle changes lengthening the course, was the story of the day with players averaging 72.955, second only to the Northern Trust Open where the average score was 73.347.

Harbour Town ranks second on Tour to Augusta National as players favorite course.

“It’s cool to go to a golf course that’s really old school,” defending champion, Brandt Snedeker said. “We don’t see it very often. I think it stands the test of time. The winning scores have been about the same for the last 35 years. The technology has changed a whole lot, so it shows you what kind of golf course it is.”

Snedecker shot a first-round even-par 71 as he looks for his second win of the year after beating Kyle Stanley in a playoff at the Northern Trust Open.

Luke Donald struggled on day 1, shooting a 4-over par 75. Donald has to finish within the top eight to keep the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings.

South Carolina-born Tommy Gainey is in the field Harbour Town, and is trying to create some positive momentum in 2012. Gainey, who finished in third last year, has missed seven out of his last 10 cuts with his best finish a tie for 42nd at the Shell Houston Open.

With three rounds to go, ball striking and play around the greens will be a key factor in determining who is going to dawn the plaid jacket on Sunday.