Akshay Bhatia is tied second, as Glover, Villegas and Spaun lead at PLAYERS

Khel Today Bureau

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida: Indian-American, Akshay Bhatia, was in a group of five players that included Rory McIlroy at 5-under 67 and one shot behind a trio of leaders Camilo Villegas, Lucas Glover and JJ Spaun, who shot 66 each. Glover had nine birdies in his round of 66.

Scottie Scheffler, World No. 1 carded 69 and was T-20, while Aaron Rai, an Indo-British, was T-9 with 68. Sahith Theegala (73) was T-83 and Hideki Matsuyama (74) was T-99.

McIlroy made four birdies from tee shots that found the rough or the pine straw, including the 18th hole when he punched a shot off the pine straw and out of the trees to 7 feet, putting him in the group at 67.

Two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler felt he left a few shots out there — two birdie chances were in the 8-foot range — but was satisfied enough with a 69.

Glover, the 45-year-old former U.S. Open champion is having a late resurgence in his career, particularly impressive from having overcome the putting yips about a decade ago. He never gave up the grind and finally cashed in by winning the Wyndham Championship and the opening FedExCup Playoffs event in consecutive weeks in 2023.