The other two players of Indian origin in the field, Akshay Bhatia and Sudarshan Yellamaraju, had slower starts. Bhatia posted a 2-over 73 to sit tied for 65th, while Yellamaraju carded a 3-over 74, placing him tied for 70th.

Theegala began with back-to-back birdies on the first two holes but dropped a shot on the third. He responded quickly with another birdie on the fourth and added further gains on the seventh and ninth, reaching 4-under at the turn in a strong position.

The back nine proved more challenging. Bogeys on the 10th, 11th, and 18th holes offset a lone birdie on the 15th, brought him back to a 2-under finish for the day.

Bhatia’s round featured three bogeys and a single birdie, continuing a difficult stretch following The Players Championship, with missed cuts at both the Hero Indian Open and The Masters.

Yellamaraju had a tough start with a triple bogey on his opening hole. Though he managed one birdie soon after, a bogey on the 14th saw him slip further, ending the round at 3-over.

At the top of the leaderboard, Ludvig Åberg continued his consistent run of form, chasing a third PGA Tour title. He fired a bogey-free 8-under 63 to take a one-shot lead.

Yellamaraju had a tough start with a triple bogey on his opening hole. Though he managed one birdie soon after, a bogey on the 14th saw him slip further, ending the round at 3-over.

Defending champion Justin Thomas struggled in his first round, carding a 5-over 76 to fall to tied 80th on the leaderboard.

Yellamaraju had a tough start with a triple bogey on his opening hole. Though he managed one birdie soon after, a bogey on the 14th saw him slip further, ending the round at 3-over.

Defending champion Justin Thomas struggled in his first round, carding a 5-over 76 to fall to tied 80th on the leaderboard.