Akshay Bhatia storms to the top of the FedEx St. Jude Championship with a career-low 62, closing eagle-birdie-birdie to grab a one-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood.
Key storylines from Round 1:
• Bhatia’s clutch finish—25-foot birdie on 17, tap-in eagle on 18
• Fleetwood’s flawless ball-striking and four straight closing birdies
• Scottie Scheffler’s solid 67 in his first start since the Open Championship
• Bubble watch: Jordan Spieth, Wyndham Clark & Si Woo Kim fighting for top-50 survival
• Course changes: 18 brand-new greens and thicker rough at TPC Southwind
Stay tuned for Round 2 projections, cut-line drama, and live leaderboard updates as the race to East Lake heats up!
Imagine this. A young golfer just 23 years old steps onto the course and delivers a performance so stunning it leaves the crowd in awe. That’s exactly what Ashe Batia did at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the PGA Tour playoff opener. With a breathtaking eagle birdie birdie finish, Batia carded an eight under 62, setting a new personal best and seizing a one-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood. But here’s where it gets controversial. Can Batia maintain this momentum and secure his spot among the top 30? Or will the pressure of the postseason prove too much? Batia, currently ranked number 45 in the FedEx Cup standings, knows the stakes are high. Only the top 50 advance to the next tournament, and the ultimate goal is to reach East Lake for a shot at the $10 million bonus. Paired with Harry Hall, who sits just one spot ahead at number 44, showcased his skill with a 25- ft birdie putt on the 17th and a precision iron shot on the 18th. And this is the part most people miss. Batia credits his success to a newfound mental approach, focusing on staying relaxed and avoiding self-criticism. Meanwhile, Scotty Sheffller, fresh off his British Open victory, stumbled on the final hole with a bogey, finishing with a 67. Despite this, he remains the number one seed for at least another week. Tommy Fleetwood, sitting comfortably at number nine, is on the hunt for his first PGA Tour title. And his performance, hitting 13 out of 14 fairways, suggests he’s in prime form. Here’s a thought-provoking question. Is Fleetwood’s consistency off the tea, the key to unlocking his first PGA Tour win? The TPC Southwind course, with its 18 new greens and thicker rough, proved challenging for many. Justin Rose and Bud Collie, number 53, both posted solid 64s, while Ricky Fowler, who missed the postseason last year, surged into contention with a 66. Jordan Spief, however, found himself on the bubble rallying late to secure a spot just inside the top 50. Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room, the pressure of the postseason. Players like Siwu Kim, number 46, and Windham Clark, number 50, are fighting to stay in the game with Kim admitting it’s kind of a dicey spot right now. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, who opened with a 72, is another player to watch. Though his focus may be split between his own game and leading the team, this week is more than just golf. It’s about securing a spot in the BMW Championship and locking in a place in next year’s $20 million signature events. So, here’s the question for you. Who do you think will rise to the occasion and who will crumble under the pressure? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
