Bhatia's bogey-free 68 puts him tied 13th at Truist Championship
Synopsis
Akshay Bhatia delivered a masterclass in consistency with a bogey-free 68 to sit tied 13th at the Truist Championship, while American Matt McCarty's scorching 8-under 63 set the pace. Weather stoppages disrupted day one, but Bhatia's iron precision and clean scorecard suggest momentum heading into round two.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Bhatia carded a bogey-free 3-under 68 to finish tied for 13th place at the Truist Championship .
Bhatia ranked second in Greens in Regulation statistics after the opening round.
Matt McCarty leads at 8-under 63 with nine birdies and one bogey.
Sahith Theegala sits tied for 30th at 1-under with three holes remaining when play was suspended.
Sudarshan Yellamaraju posted an even-par 71 , tied for 33rd place .
Rory McIlroy returned to competition with a steady 1-under 70 .
Akshay Bhatia carded a composed 3-under 68 in the opening round of the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club on 8 May, finishing tied for 13th place with a spotless scorecard featuring no bogeys. The Indian-American golfer registered three birdies — on the second, 15th, and 18th holes — while demonstrating exceptional iron play and ranking second in Greens in Regulation statistics after day one despite weather interruptions halting play.
Bhatia's clean round
Starting from the back nine, Bhatia kept his card unmarked throughout the 18 holes, showcasing the discipline and focus required to post one of the field's cleanest rounds. His approach game proved particularly sharp, translating into consistent birdie opportunities. The three birdies he converted were well-earned, with his iron accuracy standing out as a defining feature of his performance.
Theegala's interrupted session
Sahith Theegala, the fellow Indian-American competitor, was tied for 30th at 1-under when heavy rain forced officials to suspend play, leaving him with three holes remaining. Theegala had mixed early momentum — an opening birdie on the third hole — with setbacks from consecutive bogeys on the eighth and ninth. He recovered on the back nine with birdies on the 10th and 12th before the weather halt.
Yellamaraju's steady effort
Sudarshan Yellamaraju posted an even-par 71, placing him tied for 33rd. Beginning on the back nine, he balanced two birdies and two bogeys in a measured round that kept him within contention.
McCarty's 8-under lead
Matt McCarty emerged as the clubhouse leader with a sensational 8-under 63, featuring nine birdies and just one bogey. The American golfer built momentum early with five birdies on the back nine before extending his advantage on the front side. A bogey on the sixth hole proved a minor interruption as he closed with three consecutive birdies.
Other contenders
Sungjae Im was positioned at 7-under through 17 holes when play was suspended, having raced to five birdies in his opening six holes. Rory McIlroy, returning after a brief break, posted a steady 1-under 70 with 17 consecutive pars before a closing birdie moved him into a tie for 30th. Alex Fitzpatrick impressed with a 67 inside the top 10, while Cameron Young and Tommy Fleetwood remained in contention. Matt Fitzpatrick struggled to a 3-over 74.
The second round will resume once weather conditions permit, with Bhatia well-positioned to build on his opening-day foundation.
Point of View
He remains within striking distance of McCarty's blistering pace — a position many would envy after day one of a major PGA Tour event.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What score did Akshay Bhatia post in the opening round of the Truist Championship?
Akshay Bhatia carded a 3-under 68 with no bogeys, finishing tied for 13th place. He recorded three birdies on the second, 15th, and 18th holes and ranked second in Greens in Regulation statistics.
Who leads the Truist Championship after the first round?
Matt McCarty holds the clubhouse lead at 8-under 63, featuring nine birdies and one bogey. Sungjae Im was positioned at 7-under through 17 holes when play was suspended due to weather.
How did Sahith Theegala perform on day one?
Sahith Theegala was tied for 30th at 1-under par when heavy rain suspended play with three holes remaining. He mixed an early birdie on the third hole with bogeys on the eighth and ninth, then recovered with birdies on the 10th and 12th.
Why was play suspended on the opening day?
Heavy rain and adverse weather conditions forced officials to halt play on the first day, leaving some players with incomplete rounds.
