AUGUSTA | If there is one golfer who can understand the whirlwind in which Akshay Bhatia spins, it is Canadian Corey Conners. Winner of the Texas Open in 2019, the Canadian showed up at full speed and at the last second in Augusta. Champion at the same place on Sunday evening, Bhathia did the same, but in different circumstances.
Going into the final round, he led by an almost insurmountable margin. But now Denny McCarthy caught up with him thanks to a masterful final round of 63 (-9) by orchestrating a comeback with eight birdies on the return. McCarthy was six shots behind when he appeared on the 10 teee.
But Bhatia survived even though he dislocated his shoulder while celebrating a ten-foot putt at 72e hole which forced overtime against the American. He won it after a real rally.
The 22-year-old golfer who arrived among the pros in 2019 scored his second victory on the PGA Tour and at the same time, he earned his ticket to Augusta. A logistical scramble ensued so that he could get to Georgia in the night and have accommodation. Which is no small task when the city is stormed by hundreds of thousands of visitors who have been preparing their pilgrimage for a long time.
The tradition at the Texas Open is that the champion dons cowboy boots.
Photo AFP
And hop on the plane
He obviously couldn’t completely savor his moment in Texas. A sponsor quickly chartered a plane in San Antonio to bring him to Georgia.
“Everything was ready and I didn’t have to worry about it. It was really pleasant. We arrived in Augusta late in the evening. This morning (yesterday), I tried to align the hours of sleep, but with the adrenaline, it was not easy. I ended up showing up at the gates of Augusta National around 2 p.m., he said, his features drawn from 18 crazy hours.
“I haven’t been to Augusta in several years and I’ve never been to this tournament. At first glance, it is truly incredible. I will have to do my lessons and learn a lot until Thursday.”
In fact, Bhatia, of Indian origin, came to play with a member in 2019 or 2020, he said.
First in class
But above all, he participated in the 2014 edition of the junior skills competition at Drive, Chip and Putt, finishing in 6th place among 12-13 year old boys.
In 2014, Akshay Bhatia had participated in the finals of the Augusta National junior skills competition named Drive, Chip and Putt.
Photo AFP
“Everyone wants to come to Augusta National, but to go there for the first time as a kid and play in the competition, it’s surreal. We don’t realize how lucky we are, he explained.
“We hit balls in the practice range, we putts on the 18th green, it’s incredible,” he added. I remember very well making this roll on the 18th with my baggy pants. Fortunately, my clothing style has changed!”
He is the first competition finalist to compete in the Masters. At the same time, this is his first presence in a Grand Slam tournament. He has obviously grown over the last 10 years, but obviously, he hasn’t gained any weight! He is now 6’1″ tall and weighs…130 pounds. With the bad weather forecast for Thursday, rain, wind and strong gusts, he will have to be careful not to fly away!
Another dream
This week, Bhatia is experiencing a bit of nostalgia as she walks down Magnolia Lane. Same path leading to the magnificent white pavilion, however without his amazed young “friends” from 2014 at his side. He is now playing in the big leagues. When he arrived Monday, his eyes were as round as two-dollar coins.
He now intends to write a new chapter in his story. Hoping that his shoulder, already damaged by the Texas celebration and in a furious pickelball match a few years ago, holds up until the end.