Modest start by Atwal and Lahiri on PGA Tour

TIL Desk Sports/ Anirban Lahiri made a modest start at the Quicken Loans National with an even par 71 while Arjun Atwal shot one-under 70 after the Tiger Woods’ annual event started two hours late because of rain. Lahiri had two birdies and two bogeys while Atwal, who got an invite into the event, had two birdies and one bogey. Atwal was Tied-55th, while Lahiri was Tied-72nd.

Jon Rahm, who is making his professional debut this week, took the lead at seven-under 64 at the Congressional, which because of rain was soft and allowed aggressive play. Rahm, the 21-year-old Spaniard, was the only amateur to make the cut last week in the US Open, tying for 23rd at Oakmont. The long-hitting Rahm had a one-stroke lead over Jhonattan Vegas and a two-stroke advantage over a pack that included Els, who won the 1997 U.S. Open at Congressional.

Rahm was also Tied-fifth at the Waste Management Phoenix Open last year. “I was struggling a bit with a few niggles in the wrist and shoulder. Eighteen weeks of golf in the first six months is not something I’m used to. The workload seems to be catching up with me,” Lahiri said. “The start was poor with two bogeys, both on par-fives on front nine. Also, it was another bad day on and around the greens. I will look to hole a few putts early in the round to get the momentum going.”