Arizona, April 25 -- Indian-American Sahith Theegala, partnering another pro with an Indian touch, Aaron Rai, shot nine-under and the pair was tied-13th after the first day at the Zurich Classic. The pair was five shots behind PGA Tour rookies, Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo, who totalled 14-under.

Masters champion Rory McIlroy, playing for the first time since winning the Green Jacket, teamed with Shane Lowry to shoot an 8-under 64 in Four-ball (best-ball) in the Zurich Classic.

Another Indian-American, Akshay Bhatia, who, like Theegala, landed an Indian sponsor, Hero, ahead of the Masters this month, played with Carson Young, and they totalled eight under to tie for 18th.

Salinda and Velo opened with a tournament-record 58 in the Tour...