Akshay Bhatia has lastly finished it.
He’s a PGA Tour winner and now has earned full-time standing after defeating Patrick Rodgers in a playoff on the Barracuda Championship. The 21-year-old has been a professional since he turned 18.
Bahtia didn’t go the school route. As a substitute, he wished to get his skilled golf profession began. 4 years later, he lastly gained on the PGA Tour.
“It’s clearly been a very robust street. I’ve had plenty of up, plenty of down. Loads of good, plenty of dangerous,” Bhatia mentioned. “However I knew I used to be going to get right here. It was only a matter of time. For it to occur this yr with particular momentary membership and now to get to play all these occasions and to get it finished immediately was, I can’t even describe it.”
Bahtia made a 15-foot birdie putt on the closing gap in regulation to power a playoff with Rodgers.
The previous Stanford nice chunked his method shot out of a divot on the primary playoff gap. Bhatia took benefit of that and two-putted for par and the victory.
It was day for left-handed golfers as Bhatia and Brian Harman each gained on the identical day, a primary per the PGA Tour.
This win at Barracuda isn’t his first skilled victory. Final yr he gained on the Bahamas Nice Exuma Traditional on the Korn Ferry Tour. He has additionally had success on mini-tours. There have been moments the place he Monday certified into occasions — no matter the fee, Bahtia did the work.
The 22-year-old has performed in 18 PGA Tour occasions this season. He completed runner up on the Puerto Rico Open. Bahtia recorded 4 high 10s, six high 25s and has made 13 of 18 cuts.
This season has seen plenty of development out of the teenager. Earlier than final week on the Barracuda, the Wake Forest resident completed T9 on the Barbasol Championship. This victory opens plenty of doorways for him, together with a spot within the FedEx Cup playoffs.
“I’m within the playoffs now, which was an enormous purpose for me,” Bahtia mentioned. “I imply, I’m simply excited. I really like taking part in golf, I really like taking part in on the PGA Tour, and it’s only a dream come true to have it.”
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. You’ll be able to comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and on Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for extra golf protection. You’ll want to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.
