India : Indian-American golfer Akshay Bhatia began his RBC Canadian Open campaign with a commendable 1-under 69. Bhatia dedicated his performance to his late colleague, Grayson Murray, who tragically passed away the previous week. Ranked T-34 after the opening round, Bhatia shared his sentiments about Murray’s influence on him and expressed his commitment to honoring him in every round going forward. Fellow Indian-American golfer Sahith Theegala, who also emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues, faced a challenging start with a 4-over 74 at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.
Meanwhile, two-time RBC Canadian Open champion Rory McIlroy kicked off the tournament with an impressive 4-under 66, positioning himself tied for sixth place, just four shots behind the leader, David Skinns. Skinns showcased remarkable form with six birdies in a seven-hole stretch, carding an impressive 8-under 62. Despite a few setbacks during his round, Bhatia managed to secure an early birdie on the second hole but encountered bogeys on the ninth and 13th. However, he bounced back with three consecutive birdies from the 15th to 17th before dropping another shot to finish with a score of 69.
In a heartfelt tribute to Murray, Bhatia sported a “G$” marking on his wrist throughout the first round, symbolizing his deep respect and fond memories of his late friend. Recalling their bond, Bhatia reminisced about their early encounters in Raleigh when Murray first earned his PGA TOUR card at just 22 years old through the 2016 Korn Ferry Tour. Despite the loss, Bhatia remains determined to honor Murray’s legacy and cherished friendship through his performances on the course.
As the tournament progresses, competitors like Skinns, Sean O’Hair, and Sam Burns remain in contention, each delivering impressive rounds to stay within striking distance of the lead. Notably, defending champion Nick Taylor faced a challenging start with a score of 72, while McIlroy, a previous winner of the RBC Canadian Open in 2019 and 2022, continues to vie for another title in Hamilton.
