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Golf: Theegala Shines Early At Cadillac Championship Doral As Bhatia Contends

Sahith Theegala started well at the Cadillac Championship and ended round one tied-ninth. Theegala signed for a 3-under 69 at Trump National Doral. Akshay Bhatia stayed close after a 2-under 70 in tied-15th. Cameron Young led the $20 million field with a bogey-free 8-under 64.

Young’s round featured sharp iron play and several long birdie putts. Jordan Spieth and Alex Smalley sat one shot back at 7-under. Spieth mixed an eagle on the par-5 eighth with two back-nine bogeys. Canada’s Nick Taylor held fourth at 6-under 66 after a steady opening day.

Theegala leads at Doral Bhatia close behind

The opening leaderboard stayed tight behind Young on the "Blue Monster" layout. Theegala stood four shots off the lead. Bhatia remained within five shots after a late slip. Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju opened with a 74 and sat tied-52nd.

Player Score Round 1 Position
Cameron Young -8 64 1st
Jordan Spieth -7 65 T-2nd
Alex Smalley -7 65 T-2nd
Nick Taylor -6 66 4th
Sahith Theegala -3 69 T-9th
Akshay Bhatia -2 70 T-15th
Sudarshan Yellamaraju +2 74 T-52nd

Theegala set the tone with three birdies across the first five holes. Birdies came at the par-4 second, par-3 third, and par-4 fifth. Later gains arrived on the par-5 10th and par-3 15th. Bogeys on the 11th and 13th limited the score. Theegala already logged four top-10 finishes this year.

Bhatia looked set for a stronger finish before trouble at the last. Bhatia stood 3-under through 17 holes. A tee shot found water on the 18th and led to bogey. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler ended at 1-under after early birdies. Scheffler dropped shots on the 10th and 11th.

Behind the leaders, Nico Echavarria began with a 67 after winning the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. Gary Woodland stayed in range with a 68. Theegala was due to start round two on Friday alongside Taylor Pendrith. Theegala kept a place inside the top 10 after day one at Doral.

Story first published: Friday, May 1, 2026, 19:26 [IST]
Other articles published on May 1, 2026
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