Sahith Theegala and Aaron Rai made a steady start at the Zurich Classic, opening with a 10-under-par round in the four-ball format to sit tied 13th in the PGA Tour’s only official team event.
The Indian-origin duo produced flashes of brilliance, with both players contributing eagles. Rai delivered one of the shots of the day on the par-4 13th, holing out from 106 yards, while Theegala struck early with an eagle on the par-5 second to build momentum.
Despite the highlights, the tightly packed field meant their score left them a few shots off the early pace.
Americans Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer set the benchmark with a stunning 14-under 58, matching the tournament record. Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat followed closely at 13-under after a run that included an eagle and eight consecutive birdies.
Another Indian-origin player, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, paired with Ryan Gerard, carded a 7-under round to sit tied 42nd. Meanwhile, brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick combined for an 8-under 64 to remain within striking distance.
Among the marquee pairings, Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka struggled to gain ground, opening with a 6-under 66 and sitting outside the top 40.
What it means: A solid but not spectacular start for Theegala and Rai, who remain within touching distance in a low-scoring format.
What’s next: The team event continues with alternating formats, where consistency—and chemistry—will be key to climbing the leaderboard.
Photo – PGAT
