Yellamaraju surges into Top 20 at Doral, Bhatia falters with final-hole double bogey
Synopsis
Yellamaraju's explosive early round—reaching 9-under through 16 holes—promised a top-five finish at Doral, but late-round wobbles on the 17th and 18th dropped him to tied 16th. Meanwhile, Young's five-shot lead and Scheffler's steady play set up a tense weekend, while Indian contingent Bhatia and Theegala both faltered on the demanding Blue Monster.
Key Takeaways
Sudarshan Yellamaraju carded a 66 to reach tied 16th at 4-under overall at the Cadillac Championship in Doral .
Akshay Bhatia finished tied 26th at even-par 72 after a costly double bogey on the 18th .
Sahith Theegala carded 76 to sit tied 48th , managing only one birdie against four bogeys and a double bogey.
Cameron Young extended his lead to 5 shots at 13-under with a 5-under 67 .
Scottie Scheffler shot a bogey-free 67 but trails Young by 7 shots in tied sixth.
The 18th hole proved particularly challenging, yielding just 6 birdies over two rounds.
Sudarshan Yellamaraju broke into the top 20 at the Cadillac Championship on 2 May at Trump National Doral, carding a 66 to reach 4-under overall, though late stumbles cost him a higher finish. Akshay Bhatia, backed by Hero, slipped down the leaderboard after a costly double bogey on his final hole, finishing the second round tied for 26th place at even-par 72. The PGA Tour Signature Event, worth $20 million, saw Cameron Young extend his grip on the lead with a commanding five-shot advantage heading into the weekend.
Yellamaraju's near-miss
Yellamaraju was in excellent form through the early rounds, reaching 9-under through 16 holes and positioning himself for a top-five finish. However, a three-shot collapse over the final two holes—including a double bogey on the 17th—saw him settle for tied 16th at 4-under. His 66 reflected the promise of his morning round, when calm conditions favoured aggressive play.
Bhatia and Theegala struggle
Sahith Theegala also endured a difficult day, recording a double bogey on the 8th alongside bogeys on the 3rd, 9th, and 18th. His 76 left him tied for 48th, managing just one birdie against multiple setbacks. Bhatia carded six birdies and four bogeys but the double bogey on his final hole proved decisive, finishing at even-par 72. The closing stretch, particularly the 18th, proved punishing for many competitors on the Blue Monster course.
Young's commanding lead
Cameron Young maintained his stronghold at the top, shooting a 5-under 67 to reach 13-under overall and carry a five-shot lead into the weekend. His only blemish came with a bogey on the par-4 14th. Nick Taylor (70), Alex Smalley (71), and Jordan Spieth (71) were tied for second, while Gary Woodland (69) sat alone in fifth at 7-under.
Scheffler's steady round
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, playing alongside Young, also shot a bogey-free 67 but remained seven shots behind in tied sixth. Spieth produced one of the rare highlights on the demanding 18th hole, sinking a birdie—just the sixth recorded there over the first two rounds on the challenging Blue Monster layout.
What's next
With the tournament entering its final 36 holes, Young's five-shot cushion puts him in command, though Scheffler's presence and the form of Taylor, Smalley, and Spieth in the chasing pack ensures a competitive weekend.
Point of View
But Scheffler's bogey-free round and the depth of the chasing pack suggest the weekend will tighten. For the Indian contingent, Theegala's 76 and Bhatia's final-hole stumble hint at a struggle with course management on a layout that demands patience over aggression.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sudarshan Yellamaraju perform at the Cadillac Championship on Day 2?
Yellamaraju carded a 66 to reach 4-under overall and tie for 16th place. He was in excellent form early, reaching 9-under through 16 holes, but double bogeys on the 17th and late shots saw him drop three strokes over the final two holes.
Why did Akshay Bhatia slip down the leaderboard?
Bhatia finished tied for 26th at even-par 72 after a costly double bogey on his final hole, the 18th. Despite carding six birdies, the double bogey and four other bogeys proved decisive on the demanding Blue Monster course.
How many shots ahead is Cameron Young heading into the weekend?
Cameron Young carries a five-shot lead into the weekend at 13-under overall after shooting a 5-under 67 on Day 2. His only blemish was a bogey on the par-4 14th.
How did Scottie Scheffler fare in the second round?
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler shot a bogey-free 67 but remains seven shots behind Cameron Young in tied sixth place at 6-under overall.
Which hole has been the most challenging at Trump National Doral?
The 18th hole has proven particularly demanding, yielding just six birdies over the first two rounds of the tournament on the challenging Blue Monster layout.
