McIlroy Trails as Bhatia & Hisatsune Lead PGA Event

Carmen López · 2026-02-14

Rory McIlroy finds himself with some serious ground to make up after the opening rounds of this week's PGA Tour event. While the Northern Irish superstar is certainly still in the mix, he's looking up at the leaderboard where two rising talents, Akshay Bhatia and Ryo Hisatsune, have set the early pace. It's a fascinating dynamic, really. You've got McIlroy, a four-time major champion and one of the most recognizable faces in the sport, needing to chase down a couple of players who are still carving out their own legacies. That's the beauty of golf, isn't it? Every week presents a new story. ### The Early Leaders: Bhatia and Hisatsune Let's talk about the guys at the top. Akshay Bhatia has been turning heads for a while now with his unique, self-taught swing and prodigious length. He's a lefty who hits the ball a mile, and when his putter gets hot, he's incredibly dangerous. Then there's Ryo Hisatsune, the young Japanese star who plays with a calm, collected demeanor that belies his age. His ball-striking has been pristine, finding fairways and greens with machine-like consistency so far. Both players have posted scores in the mid-60s, taking advantage of softer morning conditions. They've managed their games beautifully, avoiding the big mistakes that can derail a round on this challenging layout. It's a classic case of solid, stress-free golf paying off. ### McIlroy's Position and Path Forward So, where does this leave Rory? He's a few shots back, sitting in a logjam of players within striking distance. He didn't have his best stuff in the first round, particularly off the tee. We all know his driver is usually a weapon, but it was a bit erratic. The good news? His short game and putting looked sharp, which kept him in the tournament. He's going to need to find more fairways. This course demands precision, with thick rough waiting to punish wayward drives. If he can tighten that up, his superior firepower should allow him to attack the par-5s and make a move. The pressure isn't really on him yet; it's on the leaders to hold their nerve. ### What This Means for the Weekend We're set up for a fantastic weekend of golf. Here's what I'm watching for: - **Can the leaders handle the spotlight?** Leading a PGA Tour event is a different kind of pressure. We'll see if Bhatia and Hisatsune can sleep on the lead and come out with the same focus. - **The chasing pack.** McIlroy isn't alone. There are a dozen other world-class players within four or five shots. Someone from that group is bound to make a run. - **Course conditions.** As the weekend progresses, the greens will firm up and the pins will get tougher. Scoring will likely get harder, which could benefit the more experienced players. One veteran player in the mix put it perfectly: *"The first round just gets you in the tournament. The real work starts on the weekend."* That sentiment rings especially true here. For McIlroy, the blueprint is simple. He needs a solid, bogey-free round to get himself into the final groups on Saturday. From there, it's all about applying pressure. His experience in these situations is a massive asset. He's been in this position a hundred times before, while for the leaders, it might be their first time navigating this particular kind of stress. It's far from over. In fact, it's just getting started. The beauty of a 72-hole tournament is that there's always time for a shift in momentum. McIlroy has the game and the pedigree to reel them in, but Bhatia and Hisatsune have shown they have the talent to stay ahead. This is why we watch.