Akshay Bhatia opens with bogey-free 65 to sit T-7 at Pebble Beach

Akshay Bhatia fired a bogey-free 7-under 65 to sit tied seventh after the opening round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, putting himself firmly in early contention at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Bhatia raced out of the blocks with three straight birdies and added two more at the sixth and seventh to turn quickly in red figures. He steadied from there, avoided mistakes, and closed with late birdies on the 15th and 18th to complete a flawless card and a timely statement round.

Sahith Theegala had a tougher day on the same course but battled to a 1-under 71 to be tied 57th. After a good start, Theegala slipped with a run of three straight bogeys from the ninth through the 11th before responding with three birdies over his final five holes to limit the damage.

Aaron Rai struggled at Spyglass Hill, posting a 5-over 77.

At the top of the leaderboard, Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune opened with a sparkling 10-under 62 at Pebble Beach to take the first-round lead. He was one ahead of Keegan Bradley and Sam Burns, with Bradley’s score coming at the tougher Spyglass Hill layout where scoring was noticeably higher.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy began his season debut with a 68 at Spyglass Hill after two three-putt double bogeys on the par fives. Chris Gotterup was also prominent early, carding an 8-under 64 to sit tied fourth alongside Tony Finau and Patrick Rodgers.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler finished with an even-par 72 after needing a closing birdie to salvage his round, highlighting the contrasting tests posed by the event’s two-course rotation.

With a fast start and a clean card, Bhatia has given himself an early platform as the tournament moves into its second round.

Photo – PGA Tour