Teenage prodigy Akshay Bhatia set for PGA Tour debut at Valspar
Teenage golf phenomenon Akshay Bhatia will make his PGA Tour debut at the Valspar Championship on Thursday, with plans to turn pro later in 2019.
The lanky 17-year-old lefthander from North Carolina has experienced a whirlwind amateur career that many onlookers have described as ‘Tiger-esque’.
His career highlights thus far include a silver medal at last year’s Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, the 2018 US Junior Ryder Cup title and the 2017 and 2018 Boys Junior PGA Championship.
In 2017, he won the Junior PGA by three strokes, shooting a course-record 61 and breaking the old 72-hole tournament record by five strokes.
He also won the Jones Cup last month in a playoff and captured the Dustin Johnson World Junior Championship earlier this month in South Carolina.
No. 1 junior in the country, 17-year-old Akshay Bhatia, speaks with the media before his PGA TOUR debut 🎤 https://t.co/MXXqIOwurn
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 19, 2019
“I have so much self-belief in what I do,” said Bhatia, who plans to skip college in favour of turning pro. “I’m stepping up and performing at the level I need to perform. I feel like I have a really good plan and I’m ready to do it.”
Ahead of his PGA Tour debut, Bhatia got the chance to practice with Spanish star Jon Rahm and have a chat with World No 1 Dustin Johnson.
“It’s cool because I’m slowly building relationships out here and for the future,” he said. “It’s going to be great just to lean on them a little bit.”
Bhatia will start in the last group off the 10th tee at the Innisbrook Copperhead course in Florida on Thursday thanks to a sponsor’s exemption.
He hopes to become the first US high school player in September’s Walker Cup, before turning professional afterwards.
“I think I have a pretty good game plan as far as turning pro and my scheduling going forward,” he said.
Latest
-
The MajorsI want to fulfil my dreams – Adam Scott in no mood to lower expectations
Scott is seeking a third Australian PGA Championship title this week in his native Queensland.
-
Ryder CupNicolas Colsaerts named a vice-captain for Europe’s Ryder Cup team
The Belgian joins Thomas Bjorn and Edoardo Molinari on Luke Donald’s staff.
-
NewsIreland’s Ancient East: Golf attractions alongside stunning beauty of Kildare
Ireland has a rich mix of tourist attractions across its varied and beautiful terrain.
-
European TourRory McIlroy crowned top golfer in Europe despite Jon Rahm claiming Dubai title
The Spaniard’s two-shot victory over England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Sweden’s Alex Noren was his third in six years at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
-
LPGA TourLeona Maguire shoots day’s best to tie Lydia Ko in chasing LPGA’s largest prize
Maguire is chasing her second title while Ko is close to claiming her second straight LPGA Tour player of the year.
-
European TourRory McIlroy edges ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick in race to be European number one
McIlroy’s third round of 65 at the DP World Tour Championship put him back ahead of his rival in the rankings.
-
LPGA TourLydia Ko firms lead for biggest prize in women’s golf history at LPGA finale
The 25-year-old turned a one-shot lead into a five-shot edge as she chased down the two-million-dollar (£1.6million) prize.
-
European TourMatt Fitzpatrick leading race to become European number one
Rory McIlroy gave the Yorkshireman something to think about with a late blitz.
-
LPGA TourLydia Ko in the lead for largest prize in women’s golf history at LPGA finale
The 25-year-old finished seven-under 65 in her bid to win the two-million-dollar (£1.6million) prize.
-
European TourMatt Fitzpatrick moves into pole position to become European number one
Fitzpatrick is now projected to finish top of the DP World Tour rankings for the first time.