Skip to main content

Akshay Bhatia with baller move at Texas Open, calls his Masters shot

Bhatia entered Sunday’s final round of the Valero Texas Open with a four shot lead and showed some real stones.

Valero Texas Open - Final Round, Akshay Bhatia
Valero Texas Open - Final Round, Akshay Bhatia
Photo by Brennan Asplen/Getty Images

Akshay Bhatia has played beautifully this week at the Valero Texas Open. Following stellar play during the first three rounds, he entered Sunday’s final round with a four shot lead over Denny McCarthy.

Of course, there is more than just a win on the line for Bhatia.

As of right now, there are 88 players in next week’s Masters field. With a win, Bhatia would make that 89.

Before teeing off Sunday, he showed some real moxy and supreme confidence in himself.

Bhatia was seen writing “W.T.W.” on his left wrist, standing for wire to wire. Indeed, if he pulls out that victory, that is exactly what he will accomplish.

Bhatia opened the tournament with a 9-under 63 and is yet to look back.

The 22-year-old stud has had quite the start to his career.

Last year, his first full year on Tour, Bhatia claimed a solo second and solo fourth at Puerto Rico Open and Mexico Open, respectively. He eventually cashed in with an emotional playoff win at the Barracuda Championship.

However, because that was a co-sanctioned event, it did not earn him qualifying status for the 2024 Masters.

As he took on the Texas Open field this week, he knew this was his last chance at making it to Augusta National.

Bhatia has put on a clinic, dominating the field for the vast majority of the tournament. With only six holes to go on the back nine Sunday, he leads McCarthy by five strokes.

It looks like we can add one more rookie to the Masters field.

Kendall Capps is the Senior Editor of SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social media platforms.

More in Golf

Golf
Rory McIlroy in U.S. Open contention after first roundRory McIlroy in U.S. Open contention after first round
Golf

Rory McIlroy is well in contention after the first round of the U.S. Open

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Deloitte is helping to make the rules of golf more accessible and fan-friendlyDeloitte is helping to make the rules of golf more accessible and fan-friendly
Golf

The rules of golf are well on display at the U.S. Open

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Jordan Spieth is ready for the U.S. OpenJordan Spieth is ready for the U.S. Open
Golf

Jordan Spieth is as ready as he can be for the U.S. Open

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Jason Day helps stories to visualize successJason Day helps stories to visualize success
Golf

Jason Day has a unique approach to “stories” during his rounds

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
T-Mobile made the U.S. Women’s Open even betterT-Mobile made the U.S. Women’s Open even better
Golf

The U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera was a huge success

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Brian Urlacher views the ACC as celebrity golf’s majorBrian Urlacher views the ACC as celebrity golf’s major
Golf

The American Century Championship is basically a major for celebrity golfers

By RJ Ochoa

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...