Austin Smotherman Leads Cognizant Classic; Aaron Rai and Sudarshan Tied Ninth

Austin Smotherman leads the Cognizant Classic after a bogey-free 9-under 62 in the first round, tying his career-best and becoming the seventh player to shoot 62 or better at PGA National. Indo-British Aaron Rai and Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju are tied for ninth with 3-under 68 each. Other notable players include Nico Echavarria at 8-under 63 and Daniel Berger tied for third. The course conditions at PGA National have been described as softer due to overseeding, affecting scoring.