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.

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.

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.