PGA golfer Akshay Bhatia won his first Valero Texas Open on Sunday evening at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.
After losing a six-shot lead, Bhatia and Denny McCarthy tied up before taking the 18th hole. When both players knocked in a birdie, a sudden death playoff at the 18th hole would become the deciding factor as to who would take the 89th and final spot at the Masters.
Although McCarthy already had a secured spot at the Masters, Bhatia was hoping to punch his ticket to Augusta.
“I knew it was a two-man race,” Bhatia said. “I think I was 16 or 17 under. I kind of knew where I stood, but I tried to stay true to myself and my game plan.”
During the playoff round, both players were given a par-5. McCarthy faced a setback when he hit his ball straight into a pond, clearing the way for Bhatia to win the playoff in a par-4 hole. The last VTO playoff took place in 2009 where Zach Johnson won his second consecutive VTO title. This was the second time Bhatia has won a playoff.
Bhatia brought much attraction due to his enthusiasm for his first Masters. What made this moment special for him was that Saturday marked the 10th anniversary of Bhatia’s participation in the Drive, Chip & Putt competition, where he placed sixth. Winning the VTO and placing in the Masters has officially made him the first person to compete in the Drive, Chip & Putt as well as the Masters.
“I played Agusta in 2020, I had a member take me out, I remember how amazing that place is,” Bhatia said of the famed Masters’ golf course. “But to realize that I’m playing in the Masters next week is crazy. It was on my mind all week but I tried to stick to my game plan. I have more and bigger goals I want to accomplish this year.”
It looked as though Bhatia would not be able to win after suffering an injury to his shoulder, thanks to a celebratory fist pump ahead of the playoff round. Both Bhatia and McCarthy took a timeout during the playoff round so that Bhatia’s physician could tape up his shoulder.
“When I made the putt in regulation, I raised my arm and put it in kind of a uncomfortable spot, kind of dislocated it,” Bhatia said. “It’s happened before, I had it happen in Bermuda but it’s just gonna feel a little loose. My physio [will] take care of me, so I’m not too concerned.”
This was a great experience, not only for him but for the fans as well. Despite his nerves, he had the vision to stay focused and earn his spot at the Masters.
“I wrote ‘WTW’, so ‘wire to the wire’ was kind of the motto of the day. So visualizing that string from the first hole to the semi-second hole and just seeing that string and know I’m on the right path,” Bhatia said. “I did a great job this week, I played some phenomenal golf and I learned a lot about myself last week and I think it carried over to this week.”
These two players proved to be the highlight of the tournament based on the size of the crowds, and the spectators showed a huge amount of support to all the players who showed up this year at the VTO. Although spectators loved to see Bhatia play, McCarthy was not too far from him. Although the sudden death round was important for both parties, McCarthy had already secured a spot at the Masters, making this moment for Bhatia that much more memorable.
The magnitude and enthusiasm of the crowds surrounding specific players bear witness to their significance and influence on the competition. It provides unforgettable experiences for both players and spectators. The VTO gave both established stars and up-and-coming talents a stage where they could display their abilities and interact with golf fans. Bhatia will have his chance to make a statement at the Masters, but for now, he can enjoy his time as VTO champion.
