Akshay Bhatia unusual bet with his caddie at Travelers

By 1 p.m. local time on Friday, the temperature in Cromwell, Connecticut, the site of the Travelers Championship this week, had already soared to 95 degrees. Combined with 55 percent humidity, it felt like a scorching 100 degrees according to phone apps. Summer’s arrival in the Northeast demands serious hydration for anyone outside. At TPC River Highlands, even standing still caused heavy sweating, and for players and caddies walking close to five miles, water was a must.

Word spread that golfer Akshay Bhatia has a bet with his caddie, John Limanti, on who can drink the most water this week. The 22-year-old Bhatia, who is 6-foot-1 and weighs 130 pounds, seems well-equipped for the challenge (an unscientific observation, of course).

So far, Bhatia is “winning.”

“I’m probably drinking seven or eight bottles of water a day, and I’m also mixing in electrolyte hydration stuff, so it’s a fun competition that keeps us mindful of staying hydrated,” Bhatia said.

This raises the question: are they also competing for the most bathroom breaks?

Bhatia’s golf game doesn’t seem to be suffering. After an impressive opening round of six-under 64, he followed up with a 65 on Friday. With play halted by lightning in the afternoon, he was tied for second, two shots behind leader Tom Kim.

Bhatia’s performance is notable, considering he’s playing his seventh consecutive week. Before the Travelers Championship, he had already made 18 starts in 2024, securing his second PGA Tour win in April at the Valero Texas Open.

Despite this, Bhatia is still seeking his first top-10 finish since that victory. He has nine top-25 finishes but no additional top-10s, indicating room for growth.

“I just want to keep building on my game and learning as I go. I’ve been working really hard on my technique this week, and I feel like my coach and I have found a feel that works. We’re just trying to build on that and stay focused,” Bhatia explained.