Last week, Akshay Bhatia got filthy and stripped. This week, he received status on the PGA Tour. The 21-year-old former phenom was given special temporary Tour membership after finishing runner-up in a solo event at the Puerto Rico Open. The Californian shot 7-under 65 for the round with four birdies. At 19 under, he finished two strokes behind champion Nico Echavarria. "Oh, my God, I can't believe I'm crying," Bhatia later said. I really appreciate it. I mean, put a lot of effort into it. The journey has undoubtedly been insane. Due to an injury sustained last year, I was unable to receive my Korn Ferry Tour card, which was extremely disappointing. It's just absurd. Naturally, I owe so many people so much; this is a crazy day. I had no idea I had missed seven shots. More specifically, chipped in three times this week on the same hole, a par-3 16.
"This is a fantastic story, so I want to write a book about my life and my journey. Without a doubt, it's going to be an excellent role. The following is how the book would open this chapter. Bhatia had a successful junior season and became the first high schooler to play for the United States on the Walker Cup team. He was being sought after by colleges, but when he was 17 in 2019, he made the decision to quit his job and become a professional golfer. Bhatia would, however, be rudely woken up. He didn't make the first six cuts on the Tour. The following season, he made 11 starts and four cuts. However, he was able to earn enough non-member points to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour Finals by finishing tied for ninth at the Safeway Open in 2020.
By finishing in the top 41 at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in August 2021, he was guaranteed a spot at the KFT Q-School Final Stage. Despite the fact that Bhatia was ranked 63rd and didn't get any guaranteed starts, his priority ranking got him into the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, which started the 22 KFT season. Bhatia took advantage of that opportunity, and just 12 days before his 20th birthday, he won the tournament. He became the youngest winner in KFT history, beating out Sungjae Im and Jason Day. In contrast, Bhatia did not win a Tour card despite missing 13 cuts in 24 starts. As a result, he decided to finish his KFT career in 23 years.
"My goal for the entire year was to finish No. He stated, "Play that way, get my card that way, number one on the money list for the Korn Ferry Tour." But, you know, just a different route. I've been in this predicament before, and it makes me very happy that I've handled it so much better and learned from all my previous experiences. Bhatia has never followed the standard path. In spite of years of difficulties that went against the grain, he is now playing on the PGA Tour, where he has always wanted to be.
He will begin the Valspar Championship, where he made his Tour debut as a 17-year-old on a sponsor's exemption, in two weeks. He stated, "It's a story you just can't write to start my career on the PGA Tour where it all started." In addition to a few more bare-chested moments, it's possible that the next few chapters of his book will feature the high-level success he envisioned as an adolescent phenom.I really appreciate it. I mean, put a lot of effort into it. The journey has undoubtedly been insane. Due to an injury sustained last year, I was unable to receive my Korn Ferry Tour card, which was extremely disappointing. It's just absurd. Naturally, I owe so many people so much; this is a crazy day. I had no idea I had missed seven shots. More specifically, chipped in three times this week on the same hole, a par-3 16.
