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
-
NewsChristiaan Bezuidenhout claims four-shot victory at Alfred Dunhill Championship
The South African was a picture of consistency down the stretch as those around him faltered.
-
NewsAdrian Meronk keeps victory bid on course in Alfred Dunhill Championship
The Pole takes a one-shot lead into the final round at Leopard Creek.
-
NewsEuropean Tour CEO Keith Pelley eases fears of PGA Tour takeover
If a takeover were to happen, Keith Pelley says, it’s still “miles away”.
-
NewsAdrian Meronk opens up three-shot lead at Alfred Dunhill Championship
Meronk became the first Polish player to share the lead at a European Tour event.
-
NewsLocal knowledge helps Robin Roussel claim a share of the Alfred Dunhill lead
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson lies a shot behind following a 66.
-
NewsPaul Casey a surprise entrant for 2021 Saudi International
Casey opted out of the inaugural event in 2019, citing concerns over the country’s human rights record.
-
NewsJoy, relief as golf courses in England given green light to reopen from December 2
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the good news on Monday.
-
NewsJoachim B Hansen makes up for Italian Open disappointment with Joburg victory
The Dane withdrew from the final round in Italy after his caddie tested positive for Covid-19.
-
NewsJoachim B Hansen launches late fightback to win Joburg Open
Hansen trailed by three shots with nine holes to play but won by two strokes.
-
NewsMatt Wallace shrugs off loss of caddie to Covid-19 to grab share of RSM Classic lead
Wallace’s regular caddie, Dave McNeilly, tested positive for Covid but a local caddie was ready to step in.