Bhatia's Blazing Finish Leads FedEx St. Jude Championship

Akshay Bhatia concluded his round with a remarkable finish, carding eagle, birdie, and birdie to achieve a career-low score of eight-under 62. This performance earned him a one-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood in the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

Scottie Scheffler, returning to competition after his British Open victory, finished with a bogey on the final hole, resulting in a score of 67. This marked his tenth consecutive round in the 60s.

Bhatia, currently ranked 45th in the FedEx Cup standings, is aiming to secure a spot among the top 50 to advance to the next stage of the postseason. The ultimate goal is to be among the top 30 who will compete at East Lake for a chance at a substantial bonus. He was paired with Harry Hall, who was matching Bhatia's score until the final two holes.

Bhatia mentioned that he has been focusing on maintaining a peaceful mindset, avoiding excessive thought about his scores, rankings, or FedEx Cup position. He emphasized the importance of staying relaxed and not forcing anything.

Justin Rose and Bud Cauley also achieved scores of 64 on a TPC Southwind course that features new greens and thicker rough.

Fleetwood, currently ranked ninth, is in a strong position for the FedEx Cup finale. He is seeking his first PGA Tour title. Fleetwood's performance was highlighted by his accuracy off the tee, hitting 13 out of 14 fairways.

Rickie Fowler, who missed the postseason last year, started with a score of 66, which could potentially place him within the top 50. Jordan Spieth, ranked 48th, rallied on the back nine to finish with a 69, fluctuating in and out of the top 50.

Scheffler, assured of the No. 1 seed for at least another week, played a solid round, creating several birdie opportunities. He acknowledged a decent start, despite missing a birdie chance and taking three putts on the final hole.

The tournament is crucial for the PGA Tour, as the top 50 players will advance to the BMW Championship and secure spots in the upcoming US$20-million signature events.

Si Woo Kim and Wyndham Clark, both on the bubble, had promising starts with scores of 65 and 67, respectively. Kim focused on keeping things simple.

Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, opened with a 72. He played alongside Maverick McNealy, who shot 66.