Bhatia, Scheffler among five tied at 6-under in Bahamas

Akshay Bhatia opened the Hero World Challenge with a bogey-free 6-under 66 — then reminded everyone he’s got a wedding next week in the Bahamas, tuxedo already in the bag.

Bhatia’s round, his first in competition with new caddie Joe Greiner, put him in a five-way tie for the first-round lead at Albany alongside World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Wyndham Clark and Sepp Straka.

The spark moment for Bhatia came at the par-4 seventh, where he holed out from a greenside bunker for eagle. He added four birdies, never gave a shot back, and briefly owned the clubhouse lead.

Scheffler looked set to separate until the last. He was 7-under through 15, then a miss into the rocks off the 18th tee led to his only bogey — his first dropped shot at Albany in 41 holes — and dragged him back into the logjam at 6-under.

Bhatia, who finished fourth on debut here last year, said a win at his sponsor’s event would be “the icing on the cake” — and a pretty good wedding present. “She’s done all the work,” he joked of his fiancée. “I’ve just played and brought my tuxedo.”

Aaron Rai, playing alongside Bhatia in the opening group, shot 1-under 71 to sit T-14 after a round that included five birdies but also two double-bogeys.

One shot back of the leaders at 5-under were Keegan Bradley and Corey Conners, who each signed for 67.

Photo – PGA Tour