Golf: How Did Bhatia and Theegala Fare as Scheffler Shoots 63 at The American Express?
Synopsis
On the opening day of The American Express, Indian-origin golfers faced challenges as the World No. 1, Scottie Scheffler, dazzled with a bogey-free 63. With record low scores on the leaderboard, how did Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala perform? Read on for insights from the first round in La Quinta.
Key Takeaways
Scottie Scheffler's impressive 9-under 63 leads the day.
Akshay Bhatia records a solid 4-under 68.
Sahith Theegala faces difficulties at the Pete Dye Stadium Course.
Unique three-course format promotes birdies.
Defending champion Sepp Straka struggles with a double bogey.
La Quinta (US), Jan 23 (NationPress) Players of Indian descent Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala faced a mix of fortunes on the first day of The American Express, amidst remarkably low scoring conditions. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler delivered a remarkable bogey-free performance with a stunning 9-under 63, placing him just one shot behind the leaders.
Bhatia began his round at La Quinta Country Club with a solid 4-under 68, while Theegala encountered a tougher challenge at the Pete Dye Stadium Course, finishing with a 1-under 71.
Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju, following an impressive tied-13th finish last week, recorded a 2-under 70 at the Nicklaus Tournament Course but found himself down the leaderboard due to the exceptional scores achieved by others.
Favorable weather allowed players to capitalize on the tournament’s distinctive three-course format, which rotates the 156-player field between La Quinta Country Club, Nicklaus Tournament Course, and Pete Dye Stadium Course during the first three rounds prior to the cut.
Leading the pack, Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody showcased impressive performances with matching 10-under 62s on the Nicklaus Tournament Course, the easiest of the three layouts, which played nearly four shots easier than the Pete Dye Stadium Course.
Scheffler’s 63 at La Quinta marked his lowest 18-hole score in 19 appearances at The American Express. Despite hitting only five of 14 fairways, he displayed exceptional iron play, missing just one green at the 17th where he chipped in for birdie. This also marked his first full-field start with a 36-hole cut since his victory in Napa last September.
Nine players concluded the day tied at 9-under 63, trailing just one stroke behind the leaders. Among this group were Vince Whaley and S.H. Kim, both in pursuit of their first PGA TOUR titles, alongside Ben Griffin, Patrick Cantlay, and Jason Day. Griffin’s performance continues a streak of seven consecutive tournaments where he has opened in the top eight after 18 holes, a run that dates back to the 2025 Wyndham Championship.
Defending champion Sepp Straka struggled to gain momentum, finishing the day at even par, hampered by a costly double bogey.
Point of View
I observe a notable performance from Scottie Scheffler, showcasing the competitive spirit of players. The unique three-course format at The American Express adds an exciting twist, allowing for thrilling scoring opportunities. It's a reminder of the depth of talent in today's golf scene, especially among Indian-origin players.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Scottie Scheffler's score at The American Express?
Scottie Scheffler achieved a remarkable bogey-free 9-under 63.
How did Akshay Bhatia perform on the first day?
Akshay Bhatia started with a steady 4-under 68.
What challenges did Sahith Theegala face?
Sahith Theegala struggled at the Pete Dye Stadium Course, finishing with a 1-under 71.
What is the unique format of The American Express?
The tournament features a three-course rotation, allowing players to compete across La Quinta Country Club, Nicklaus Tournament Course, and Pete Dye Stadium Course.
What is significant about the Nicklaus Tournament Course?
The Nicklaus Course is noted to have played nearly four shots easier than the Pete Dye Stadium Course, contributing to lower scores.
