Impressive Start for Aaron Rai at PGA Tour Season Opener

Indian Americans Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala had a mixed start at the PGA Tour season-opener, while Indo-British Aaron Rai excelled, tying for 10th. Tom Hoge leads at nine-under, with Hideki Matsuyama close behind. Defending champion Chris Kirk aims to defend his title despite a T-48 start.

In a striking performance, Indo-British golfer Aaron Rai delivered a standout five-under 68 at the PGA Tour season-opener, earning a spot tied for 10th.

While Indian Americans Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala encountered challenges—Bhatia shot a respectable two-under 71 while Theegala struggled with triple bogeys, finishing at three-over 76—other top competitors shone. USA's Tom Hoge commanded attention with an astonishing nine-under 64, placing him as the frontrunner, just ahead of Will Zalatoris and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.

Matsuyama, Asia’s top PGA performer in 2024, impressed with an eight-under 65 using a new putter. Meanwhile, defending champion Chris Kirk opened his campaign at T-48, aiming to defend his title—a feat not accomplished since Geoff Ogilvy's back-to-back victories in 2010.

(With inputs from agencies.)