Camilo Villegas pays tribute to daughter after moving into RSM Classic lead

Camilo Villegas moved into a share of the first-round lead at the RSM Classic and then paid tribute to his 22-month-old daughter Mia who sadly passed away in July.

Villegas, 38, birdied his final hole of the day to join Matt Wallace on 6-under par after the opening day's play on the Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club. 

Camilo and Maria Villegas lost their 22-month-old daughter, Mia, four months ago.



Now they are determined that Mia's life will have meaning beyond her time spent on this earth.

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 19, 2020

Four-time PGA Tour winner Villegas took a break from competitive action after his daughter Mia, who had been battling brain and spine tumors, died in July.

Following her death, many players wore small rainbow pins on their caps after Villegas said his daughter had loved rainbows.

Camilo Villegas' late daughter, Mia, loved rainbows.



He shot 64 today and shares the lead @TheRSMClassic. pic.twitter.com/wL84nmyrWr

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 19, 2020

On Thursday morning, Villegas arrived at the golf course to see a rainbow. He just knew it was going to be a good day. 

"When I got on the range and I saw a rainbow, hey, listen, here it is," said Villegas, who shot a bogey-free 64. "She loved colours and rainbows and my wife was all about it, and it was cool. It was a nice way to start the day."

Wallace also posted an opening 6-under 64, following a round that included eight birdies. The Englishman found trouble on his final hole but recovered superbly on the green when draining a 30-footer for par. 

His round was even more impressive given he was using a local caddie after his regular caddie David McNeilly contracted coronavirus. 

Both Villegas and Wallace will need to keep their foot down in the second round, however, with a total of 20 players within two strokes of the lead.

Pre-tournament favourite Webb Simpson opened with a 2-under 68. 

Players alternate between the Seaside Course and Plantation Course on Thursday and Friday, and then those that make the halfway cut battle it out on the Seaside Course over the weekend.