Akshay Bhatia Shines in Travelers Championship, Chasing Third PGA Tour Win

Indian-American golfer Akshay Bhatia is in second place after the first round of the Travelers Championship, shooting a 6-under 64. Korea’s Tom Kim leads with an 8-under 62.

Bhatia, who was bogey-free with four birdies and an eagle, shares second place with Rickie Fowler, Will Zalatoris, and Kurt Kitayama, who all shot 64s at TPC River Highlands. Another Indian-American, Sahith Theegala, is T-33 with a score of 71.

Kim, who turns 22 on Friday, put on a stellar show with eight birdies and his career-first 18-hole lead on TOUR. He is chasing his fourth PGA TOUR victory during his birthday week.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who recently signed with Boston Common Golf for the inaugural TGL presented by SoFi starting next January, are also in the top ranks. Matsuyama ended the first round in tied 13th place with a score of 66, finishing strongly with four birdies over his last five holes.

Korea’s Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim shot 67 and 69 respectively, while another Korean, Byeong Hun An, withdrew during the first round due to illness.