Flourtown, May 10 -- Akshay Bhatia started off the Truist Champion with a round of seven under par 63 at The Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon Course).

The Indian-American Bhatia sits tied third alongside Rickie Fowler, Colin Morikawa and Sepp Straka. Bhatia, who was third at the PLAYERS this year, is two behind the leader, Keith Mitchell (61) and one behind Denny McCarthy (62).

Indo-British Aaron Rai played five under par and sits tied 11th while another Indian-American Sahith Theegala played one-under par 69 and is placed tied 55th on the first day, a release said.

Mitchell, who is one of the four sponsor exemptions this week, shot 61 that shattered the course record at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. The previous Wissahickon Cou...