Akshay Bhatia overcomes furious rally, separated shoulder to win Texas Open and earn Masters trip
Akshay Bhatia clinched the last coveted spot in the upcoming Masters tournament by triumphing at the Valero Texas Open, holding off a fierce challenge from Denny McCarthy, while Rory McIlroy showcased his form with a third-place finish, setting the stage for his Grand Slam aspirations at Augusta. Bhatia’s journey to securing his invitation to Augusta…
Akshay Bhatia clinched the last coveted spot in the upcoming Masters tournament by triumphing at the Valero Texas Open, holding off a fierce challenge from Denny McCarthy, while Rory McIlroy showcased his form with a third-place finish, setting the stage for his Grand Slam aspirations at Augusta.
2 wins for the 22-year-old! 🏆🏆@AkshayBhatia_1 wins @ValeroTXOpen in a playoff! pic.twitter.com/tjpXXeAO7d
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 7, 2024
Bhatia’s journey to securing his invitation to Augusta National was a rollercoaster of nerves and skill, as he maintained his lead from start to finish in a nail-biting showdown in San Antonio. Initially holding a comfortable six-stroke advantage over McCarthy at the turn, Bhatia seemed on course for a straightforward victory.
However, McCarthy staged a remarkable comeback, unleashing an incredible birdie barrage with eight birdies in nine holes, including an impressive streak of seven consecutive birdies to draw level with Bhatia at 20 under par. His remarkable putting display saw him tie the PGA Tour’s 72-hole record with just 92 putts.
In a dramatic turn of events, Bhatia clinched victory on the first playoff hole with a decisive birdie, as McCarthy’s valiant effort came to a halt after his third shot found the water. McCarthy, who had already secured his Masters qualification through his world ranking, had threatened to clinch victory in regulation with a clutch 12-footer at the 18th, only for Bhatia to match his feat and force sudden death.
Despite injuring his shoulder in the celebrations following his crucial putt, Bhatia showed remarkable resilience in the playoff, ultimately claiming his second PGA Tour victory, following his triumph at the 2023 Barracuda Championship. With this thrilling win, Bhatia earns his place among the elite field at Augusta National, while McIlroy’s impressive performance adds to the anticipation as he gears up for his quest for the Grand Slam title at the Masters.
