Can Jhonattan Vegas Maintain His Lead in the PGA Championship?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a thrilling start to the PGA Championship, Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas leads with a stunning 7-under 64. Indian golfers Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala have mixed fortunes, with Bhatia tied for 29 and Theegala withdrawing due to injury. Can Vegas hold on to his lead against top contenders like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy?
Key Takeaways
- Jhonattan Vegas leads with a 7-under 64.
- Akshay Bhatia is Tied-29 with a 1-under 70.
- Sahith Theegala withdrew due to injury.
- Aaron Rai is tied for fourth with a 4-under 67.
- Players faced challenges from mud balls during tee shots.
Charlotte, May 16 (NationPress) Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas, who has never ranked in the Top-20 at a Major, achieved his personal best score in the PGA Championship with a 7-under 64, granting him a two-shot advantage in a competitive field featuring 98 of the world’s Top-100 players. Another player of Indian interest, Akshay Bhatia, recorded a 1-under 70 to secure a Tied-29 position; however, Sahith Theegala had to withdraw the night before the first round due to ongoing issues from a strained neck, which hampered his mobility.
These two Indian-Americans, along with Aaron Rai, participated in last year's Tour Championships and were among the Top 30 globally. Both Bhatia and Theegala serve as Hero Global Ambassadors.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler managed a 2-under 69, while World No. 2 Rory McIlroy posted a 3-over 74. Indo-British Aaron Rai performed admirably, finishing with a 4-under 67, tying for fourth place with Luke Donald, the European Ryder Cup captain, who delivered the only bogey-free round of the day. The US Ryder Cup captain, Keegan Bradley, ended with a 68.
Defending champion Xander Schauffele concluded his round with a 72 in his quest for consecutive PGA Championship victories.
Three-time major champion Jordan Spieth, aiming for his career Grand Slam, encountered three consecutive bogeys early in the back nine and finished with a score of 76.
Rai began his round on the tenth hole with a birdie and added three more consecutive birdies from the 14th to the 16th, reaching 4-under after eight holes. Although he bogeyed the 18th, Rai managed a birdie on the seventh and parred the remaining holes on the front nine of the Quail Hollow course.
Vegas surged ahead with five birdies over his last six holes, concluding with an 18-footer on No. 8 and a 25-footer on the ninth for a 64 in this Major, marking his best performance in three years.
Vegas leads by two over rookie Ryan Gerard, who was the only other player to reach 7-under until bogeys on his last two holes dropped him to 66, alongside Cam Davis from Australia.
McIlroy failed to register a birdie in his last 12 holes and was seen practicing on the range shortly after.
Both Scheffler and defending champion Xander Schauffele discussed the impact of mud balls on tee shots, particularly on the 16th, where both incurred double bogeys.
Nevertheless, Scheffler managed to sink two shots from off the green—one for birdie and another for eagle.
IANS
Point of View
It is essential to recognize the competitive spirit exhibited by Jhonattan Vegas, who has defied expectations in this Major. The performance of Indian players like Akshay Bhatia and the unfortunate withdrawal of Sahith Theegala highlight the unpredictable nature of golf. Our coverage remains committed to presenting the facts while supporting our athletes in their endeavors.
NationPress
21/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the PGA Championship?
Jhonattan Vegas is currently leading the PGA Championship with a score of 7-under 64.
What is Akshay Bhatia's current standing?
Akshay Bhatia is tied for 29th place with a score of 1-under 70.
Why did Sahith Theegala withdraw?
Sahith Theegala withdrew due to ongoing issues from a strained neck that affected his movements.
How did Aaron Rai perform?
Aaron Rai shot a 4-under 67, placing him in a tie for fourth.
What challenges did players face during the round?
Players, including Scheffler and Schauffele, faced challenges with mud balls on tee shots, particularly on the 16th hole.
