MEMPHIS (USA)– Akshay Bhatia lit up TPC Southwind with a career-best 8-under 62 on Thursday, taking the outright lead after the opening round of the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship—the first leg of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs.
The 23-year-old, already a two-time PGA Tour winner, delivered a sizzling round featuring seven birdies, one eagle, and a single bogey. He made the turn at 4-under, picked up another birdie on the 11th, stumbled briefly with a bogey on the 12th, and then finished in spectacular fashion—with an eagle on the par-5 16th followed by back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th.
“I just felt really in rhythm,” Bhatia said after his round. “The course sets up well for my game, and once I made that eagle, everything clicked. I wasn’t chasing anything—just sticking to my process and got into a great zone.”
His 62 not only marks a personal best on the PGA Tour, but also gives him a strong chance to contend for his first-ever playoff win and a major move up the FedExCup standings.
Just one shot back is Tommy Fleetwood, who closed with four consecutive birdies to card a 7-under 63. The Englishman has been in solid form all year but is still seeking his first career PGA Tour victory.
Tied for third at 6-under are Harry Hall, Justin Rose, and Bud Cauley—all of whom posted bogey-free rounds on a TPC Southwind course that often punishes even small mistakes.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler opened his playoff run with a steady 3-under 67. Though five shots off the lead, his clean and composed round keeps him well in the mix. A two-time major winner this season, Scheffler remains a strong favorite in the FedEx Cup race.
Swedish rising star Ludvig Åberg also shot 67, matching Scheffler and remaining in striking distance.
Aaron Rai, of Indo-British heritage, finished at even-par 70 with two birdies and two bogeys. He is currently tied for 39th and sits 55th in the FedExCup standings. Rai needs to break into the top 50 this week to qualify for next week’s BMW Championship.
Notably absent this week is Rory McIlroy, who is taking advantage of a new PGA Tour rule that allows top-10 players in the standings to skip one playoff event. Currently ranked second in FedExCup points, McIlroy is expected to return for the BMW Championship and will rely on his season-long performance to remain in contention for the Tour Championship.
The St. Jude Championship marks the beginning of a three-week sprint to crown the 2025 FedEx Cup Champion. Only the top 50 players after this week will move on to the BMW Championship, with just 30 advancing to the Tour Championship at East Lake. (Source: IANS)
