Sahith Theegala Shares Lead After Round One At The Players Championship

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Sahith Theegala fired a 5-under 67 to share the lead after day one of the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra, Florida, on March 13. He joined Maverick McNealy, Lee Hodges, Sepp Straka and Austin Smotherman before play stopped due to darkness.

Theegala’s round and injury comeback

Theegala, 28, made three straight birdies early on the front nine. His only dropped shot came at the ninth, after bunker trouble. He then surged again on the back nine, showing form after injury issues last season and a fall outside the top 100.

Key moment: 99-yard eagle on 12

Theegala’s highlight was a holed 99-yard wedge for eagle on 12. He added a birdie on 16 to reach 5-under. Of the eagle, he said the shot came out slightly right, bounced kindly, struck the flag and dropped, calling it “a nice bonus.”

Theegala on fitness and confidence

Theegala spoke about feeling fully healthy again this season. He said his swing speed was slow to return after left shoulder and oblique or rib problems. Other players had advised patience, saying the body needs time to trust movements again.

Smotherman unfinished as darkness falls

Smotherman was the only co-leader yet to finish his round. He still had one hole left when organisers halted play. The leaderboard stayed bunched at 5-under, with all five leaders well placed heading into the second round at TPC Sawgrass.

Scoreboard for key players

Indian origin players’ opening rounds

Among players of Indian origin, Akshay Bhatia carded a 1-under 71. He sat tied 30th after round one. Yellamaraju was 1-over through 17 holes, around tied 52nd. Aaron Rai posted a 74, leaving him at 2-over and tied 69th.

Bhatia’s day and Indian plans

Bhatia began with two birdies, then double bogeyed the 14th. A birdie, bogey and birdie stretch left him 1-under on the back nine. He then made nine straight pars on the front. He confirmed he will play the Hero Indian Open this month.

Top stars and Morikawa withdrawal

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler opened with an even-par 72 for tied 40th. World No. 2 Rory McIlroy struggled to a 2-over 74 and tied 69th. Tommy Fleetwood shot 69 for tied 10th. Collin Morikawa withdrew due to injury after completing just one hole.