Kansas City, Aug 21 (IANS) India’s Rayhan Thomas got off to an impressive start with an 8-under 64 that put him in a share of fifth place at the AdventHealth Championship on the Korn Ferry. Indian-origin player Mahanth Chirravuri was alone in fourth at 9-under 63.
Chirravuri, who finished No. 8 in the PGA TOUR University Class of 2026, recorded a career-best round without dropping a shot and it included a five birdie streak from the third and also had an eagle on the 13th.
Thomas, meanwhile, carded a bogey-free 64 to sit at 8-under, six shots behind leader Andrew Kozan (6). Thomas’ round featured eight birdies and no bogeys, putting him firmly in contention after the opening day.
Kozan produced a spectacular opening round at the AdventHealth Championship, firing a career-low, bogey-free 12-under 60 at Blue Hills Country Club to take a two-shot lead.
Kozan’s round was highlighted by an extraordinary hole-out from 133 yards for an eagle on the par-4 fourth. He added a string of birdies to complete a flawless 60, bettering his previous career-low of 63, which he had shot three times.
Four-time Korn Ferry Tour winner Robby Shelton was also in the top five at 8-under, while Ross Steelman, the current No. 1 on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List, opened with a 6-under 66 to lie tied 22nd.
The AdventHealth Championship is the final regular-season event on the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour schedule. After this week, the top 156 players on the Points List will qualify for the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation, the first of four Korn Ferry Tour Finals events.
–IANS
hs/