Indian Americans Seek Redemption at BMW Championship

Indian Americans Sahith Theegala and Akshay Bhatia aim to improve their performance in the BMW Championship. They compete alongside top players like Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler. Si Woo Kim faces a critical week to secure a place in the Playoffs Finale and the Presidents Cup team.

Indian Americans Sahith Theegala and Akshay Bhatia, who missed the top-10 last week at the St. Jude Championship, seek a stronger showing as they inch closer to the Tour Championship finale. Hideki Matsuyama led by five at one point but had to birdie the last two holes to claim victory, becoming the first Asian to win a Playoff event and securing his 10th PGA Tour win, a record for the continent.

Last week, Bhatia finished T-12, Rai T-16, and Theegala T-46, but all three are set to compete in the second of the three Playoff events. World No. 2 Xander Schauffele, a two-time major winner in 2024, tied for second with Viktor Hovland. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was fourth, while World No. 3 Rory McIlroy finished T-68.

Among Asians, Korea's Si Woo Kim has a lot at stake at the BMW Championship, the second of three FedExCup Playoffs events in Colorado this week. He aims to break into the top 30 in the FedExCup points list and qualify for the Playoffs Finale, the Tour Championship next week. Kim, currently ranked 44th after the FedEx St. Jude Championship, also hopes to secure a spot in the International Team for the Presidents Cup next month.

A strong performance is crucial for Kim to keep his Presidents Cup aspirations alive. He is currently 14th on the team roster, with the top-6 after this week's BMW Championship securing automatic spots. Captain Mike Weir will name six more picks after the Tour Championship. Compatriots Sungjae Im and Byeong Hun An, ranked 10th and 15th in the FedExCup standings, are almost certain to tee up at the Tour Championship, which will use a staggered-scoring format. Regardless of this week's outcome, Kim has secured his top-50 status, guaranteeing starts in all eight Signature tournaments next season. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)