Key Points

Akshay Bhatia remains in the hunt at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, sitting tied sixth after a steady third round. Tommy Fleetwood holds a narrow lead despite late struggles, while Justin Rose and Scottie Scheffler lurk just behind. The tournament's outcome will determine who advances to the BMW Championship. Bhatia aims for a strong finish to secure his position in the FedExCup Playoffs.

Key Points: Akshay Bhatia Tied Sixth at FedEx St. Jude Championship

  • Akshay Bhatia shoots 70 to stay in contention at 9-under
  • Tommy Fleetwood leads at 14-under despite late hiccups
  • Justin Rose and Scottie Scheffler trail closely behind
  • Top 50 advance to BMW Championship with FedExCup implications
3 min read

Bhatia lies sixth a St. Jude Championship

Akshay Bhatia stays in contention at 9-under, five shots behind leader Tommy Fleetwood in the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

"He did enough right in between for a 1-under 69 and a one-shot lead over Justin Rose. – PGA Tour"

Memphis, Aug 10

Akshay Bhatia fired a modest even par 70 to be tied sixth and five off the lead after three days at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Bhatia, 22, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour now has rounds of 62-69-70 and is 9-under and still in the picture for a good finish in the first of three FedExCup Play-off events.

Bhatia, the Hero golfer, who set the course alight with a 62 on the first day, had two birdies and two bogeys on the third day, as Tommy Fleetwood survived some hiccups on way to a 1-under 69 but stayed in sole lead at 14-under. Fleetwood, looking for his first win on the PGA Tour now has rounds of 63-64-69.

Fleetwood leads veteran Justin Rose (64-66-67) a 13-under by one shot as Scottie Scheffler (67-66-65) lurks close behind at 12-under in third place.

Indo-British Aaron Rai (70-69-68) is T-30 as he tries to move into Top-50 from 55th to make the next Play-offs event.

Bhatia birdied the second and the 17th but gave away shots on the seventh and the 18th.

had a three-shot swing go against him early and a two-shot swing cost him on the final hole Saturday in the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

He did enough right in between for a 1-under 69 and a one-shot lead over Justin Rose as he goes for his first PGA TOUR title.

If that wasn't enough, Scottie Scheffler had a huge presence only two shots back.

Still, those two holes were a reminder to Fleetwood that 18 holes can feel a long way off at the TPC Southwind. There figures to be plenty of pressure at the top and scattered among the rest of the field trying to advance in the FedExCup Playoffs.

Fleetwood started the third round with a three-shot lead over Rose, who had to finish his storm-delayed second round in the morning.

On the par-5 third, Fleetwood's second shot came up short and into the water. He took his penalty drop and then hit wedge over the green into a bunker. Fleetwood said he noticed his golf ball move ever so slightly on his swing with the wedge.

Rules officials could not determine if it did because it was so slight and Fleetwood didn't cause it. So no penalty was issued. He made double bogey, and Rose ran off three straight birdies to take the lead.

Fleetwood rebounded to build back he lead to three shots but on the 18th hole, he drove into the rough, couldn't reach the green and made bogey to finish at 14-under 196.

Rose had four birdies between the third and the seventh and then at the end had two each of bridies and bogeys in the last five in his 67.

Scheffler put together six birdies in his round of 65 and was two shots behind. He made his lone bogey on the 10th.

Scheffler is going for his fifth win of the year. He has not finished out of the top 10 since March.

U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (65) and Andrew Novak (67) were three shots behind.

After this week, the top 50 in the FedExCup advance to the second playoff event at the BMW Championship and are assured of playing all the USD 20 million Signature Events next year.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone new to golf, I'm fascinated by how Bhatia is holding his own against veterans like Rose and Scheffler. The mental strength required for this sport is incredible!
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Priya S
Fleetwood's lucky break with that ball movement incident could prove costly for others. Hope the officials were fair in their judgement. Bhatia needs to capitalize on any such opportunities tomorrow.
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Aman W
The real test will be Sunday pressure! Bhatia has shown he can go low (62 proves that), but can he handle the nerves in final round? Fingers crossed 🤞
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Karthik V
Disappointed with those bogeys on 7th and 18th today. At this level, every shot counts. Hope Hero team is working with Bhatia on his short game - that's where tournaments are won or lost.
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Nisha Z
So proud to see Indian golfers making waves internationally! Whether it's Bhatia or Rai, they're putting us on the global golf map. More corporate sponsors should back our players like Hero does.
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David E
As a golf coach, I'm impressed by Bhatia's consistency. Three rounds under par in a playoff event is no joke. That said, he needs to work on finishing strong - last hole bogeys can be mentally taxing

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