Charlotte– Venezuelan golfer Jhonattan Vegas delivered a career-best performance at a major, carding a scorching 7-under 64 to grab a two-shot lead after the opening round of the PGA Championship. The tournament features 98 of the world’s top 100 players.
Among players of Indian interest, Indo-British golfer Aaron Rai impressed with a solid 4-under 67, placing him in a tie for fourth alongside European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, who at age 47 was the only player to complete a bogey-free round. India-origin American Akshay Bhatia shot a 1-under 70 to finish the day Tied-29th. However, fellow Indian-American Sahith Theegala withdrew on the eve of the tournament due to a lingering neck strain.
All three players—Rai, Bhatia, and Theegala—competed in last season’s Tour Championship and finished inside the world’s Top 30. Bhatia and Theegala also represent Hero as global brand ambassadors.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler opened with a 2-under 69, while World No. 2 Rory McIlroy struggled with a 3-over 74, failing to make a birdie over his final 12 holes. McIlroy returned to the practice range immediately after his round.
Defending champion Xander Schauffele posted a 1-over 72 as he began his quest for back-to-back PGA titles. Meanwhile, three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, hoping to complete his career Grand Slam, faltered with a 5-over 76, including three consecutive bogeys on the back nine.
Rai began his round on the 10th hole with a birdie and caught fire with three more from the 14th to the 16th, making the turn at 4-under. A bogey on the 18th was his only blemish. On the front nine, he added another birdie on the 7th and parred the rest to close out a strong opening round.
Vegas’s hot streak included five birdies over his final six holes, capped off by long putts of 18 and 25 feet on the 8th and 9th holes, respectively. His 64 marked his best round ever in a major and his first appearance at the PGA Championship in three years.
Rookie Ryan Gerard briefly matched Vegas at 7-under but dropped two shots with bogeys on his final two holes, ending with a 66. He shares second place with Australia’s Cam Davis.
Scheffler and Schauffele both voiced concerns over “mud balls” affecting tee shots, particularly on the 16th hole, where each carded a double bogey. Despite that, Scheffler salvaged his round by holing two shots from off the green—one for birdie, the other for eagle. (Source: IANS)
