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Key Points

Aaron Rai made a strong start at the PGA Championship, sharing fourth place with a solid 4-under 67, showcasing his top form. Jhonattan Vegas posted an outstanding 7-under 64, taking a two-shot lead in a field filled with top-ranked golfers. Indian-American Akshay Bhatia tied for 29th, while Sahith Theegala had to withdraw due to a neck strain. Despite the challenges faced by big names like Spieth, the excitement of the tournament continues with intense performances on the green.

Key Points: Rai Shines at PGA Championship as Vegas Takes Lead

  • Aaron Rai ties for fourth with 4-under 67
  • Jhonattan Vegas leads with an impressive 7-under 64
  • Bhatia tied for 29th, Theegala withdraws with a neck strain
  • Top players struggle, including Spieth with a 76
2 min read

Golf: Aaron Rai lies 4th, Bhatia Tied-29 in PGA Championship

Aaron Rai excels at PGA Championship while Jhonattan Vegas leads with a record 64.

"Aaron Rai did well to shoot 4-under 67 and was in a tie for fourth. - Source"

Charlotte, May 16

Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas, who has never finished in the Top-20 at a Major, shot his best score in the PGA Championship with a 7-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead in a field that has 98 of the world’s Top-100 players. Another player of Indian interest, Akshay Bhatia, carded 1-under 70 to be Tied-29, but Sahith Theegala pulled out the night before the first day as his strained neck continued to affect his movements.

The two Indian-Americans, as well as Rai, played in the Tour Championships last year and were in the Top 30 of the world. Bhatia and Theegala are Hero Global Ambassadors.

As World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler shot 2-under 69 and World No. 2 Rory McIlroy carded 3-over 74, Indo-British Aaron Rai did well to shoot 4-under 67 and was in a tie for fourth with European Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald, 47, who shot the day’s only bogey-free round of 67. The US Ryder Cup captain, Keegan Bradley, shot 68.

Defending champion Schauffele wound up with a 72 in his bid to go back-to-back in the PGA Championship.

The three-time major champion, Jordan Spieth, looking to win here for the career Grand Slam, had three straight bogeys early on the back nine and shot 76.

Rai opened on the tenth with a birdie and added three more in a row from the 14th to the 16th to go 4-under after eight. He bogeyed the 18th, but on his second nine, the front side of the Quail Hollow course, Rai had one birdie on the seventh and parred the rest.

Vegas blazed his way with five birdies on his last six holes, ending with an 18-footer on No. 8 and a 25-footer on the ninth for 64 in this Major in three years.

Vegas led by two over rookie Ryan Gerard, who was the only other player to reach 7-under until bogeys on his last two holes saw him drop to 66 alongside Cam Davis of Australia.

McIlroy didn't make a birdie over his last 12 holes, and he hit the range soon after the finish.

Scheffler and defending PGA champion Xander Schauffele commented on mud balls on tee shots, particularly the 16th, where both had double bogeys.

Yet, Scheffler holed two shots from off the green — one for birdie, one for eagle.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Great to see Aaron Rai performing so well! 🇮🇳🏌️‍♂️ Hope he can maintain this momentum. Indian-origin players making waves in golf is always inspiring for young athletes back home. Let's see if he can challenge for the title!
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Priya M.
Disappointed that Theegala had to withdraw due to injury. He's been in such good form recently. Wishing him a speedy recovery! Meanwhile, Bhatia holding steady at T-29 isn't bad considering the tough field. Golf needs more Indian representation at this level.
A
Arjun S.
The Hero Global Ambassador program seems to be paying off! Good to see corporate India supporting golf talent. Though I wish we had more homegrown players competing at this level rather than just diaspora players. Our golf infrastructure needs improvement.
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Shalini V.
Vegas coming out of nowhere with that 64! That's golf for you - full of surprises. But the real story is Rai just 3 shots back. Hope the Indian media gives this proper coverage instead of just focusing on cricket all the time.
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Vikram J.
Interesting to see both Ryder Cup captains playing well. But Rai mixing it up with them shows his class. If he wins, it would be huge for golf's popularity in India. Maybe then we'll get a proper PGA Tour event in India!
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Neha P.
The mud ball complaints show how tough the conditions are. Makes Rai's 67 even more impressive! Though I wonder if Indian players have an advantage playing in varied conditions back home. Our golf courses can be quite challenging too.

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