The 23-year-old American Akshay Bhatia delivered a standout performance at the 2025 Players Championship. Bhatia finished tied for third place, just two strokes behind the winner, Rory McIlroy, and even flirted with the lead deep into the tournament. Despite withdrawing from the Valspar Championship on Tuesday, there is so much to look forward to seeing.
Journey Through the 2025 Players Championship
Bhatia began the tournament with impressive form. After the first 9 holes, Bhatia was 4-under par. At the end of day 1 he completed a bogey-free round finished 5-under. Bhatia followed his round one performance with an even better day two shooting a 6-under 66. Going into the weekend Bhatia shared the 36-hole lead with Australia’s Min Woo Lee at 11-under par.
The first two rounds saw relatively mild conditions, allowing players like Bhatia to capitalize and post low scores. However, the weekend introduced challenging weather, with winds reaching 15-25 mph and higher gusts. These conditions tested the field’s resilience and adaptability. Not only did it test but it affected Bhatia’s round 3 score. A 3-over 75 left Bhatia on the outside looking in on Sunday.
A 2-under final round left Bhatia tied for third place and one of the best finishes of his young career. Bhatia only finished behind J.J. Spaun and eventual champ Rory Mcilroy. Even more impressive is this is Bhatai’s first career PGA tour event at TPC Sawgrass. It’s incredible to watch what Bhatia has been able to accomplish at such a young age.
Akshay Bhatia: Career Highlights and Past Finishes
Bhatia’s journey to this point has been marked by significant milestones. He turned professional in September 2019 after a distinguished amateur career, which included representing the United States in events like the Junior Presidents Cup and the Walker Cup.
In January 2022, Bhatia secured his first professional victory at The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour. This win set the stage for future successes. July 2023 marked a pivotal moment when he clinched his first PGA Tour title at the Barracuda Championship, winning in a playoff against Patrick Rodgers. He continued this momentum into April 2024, capturing the Valero Texas Open title in a playoff over Denny McCarthy.
These victories not only established Bhatia as a rising star but also earned him spots in major tournaments. Notably, he became the first participant from the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National to compete in the Masters, making his debut in 2024. It’s also the reason he is in no rush to compete in this upcoming Masters tournament.
Immediate Future and Upcoming Tournaments
Following his impressive performance at the Players Championship, Bhatia was scheduled to compete in the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida. However, he has withdrawn from this event, with no specific reason provided.
Reuters
This withdrawal means Bhatia will also miss the Texas Children’s Houston Open next week. Nevertheless, he is expected to return to action at the Valero Texas Open, where he will defend his title. This tournament serves as a crucial preparation for the Masters, which begins on April 10th.
Akshay Bhatia’s trajectory in professional golf showcases a blend of youthful talent and seasoned composure. His recent performance at the Players Championship underscores his ability to compete at the highest level, even under challenging conditions. As he prepares to defend his title at the Valero Texas Open and gear up for the Masters, the golfing world keenly watches his next moves, anticipating further accomplishments from this promising athlete.
Main image credit: © Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
