When the then 22-year-old Akshay Bhatia beat Denny McCarthy in a playoffs to win Valero Texas Open last year at TPC San Antonio, he had to do one of the most fun things in the world of Golf.
He had to board a flight to Augusta, GA.
Bhatia’s victory got him the last place in the field at Masters the following week, and he continued to bind for the 35th.
“I played so well all week (in San Antonio),” Bhatia told reporters Tuesday before his title Texas Open Defense. “I honestly do not know how I did it, shot 20 under, Denny and I, and I think third place was 11 under. You go on this trait and you realize how hard this golf course is. Just such a whirlwind. Then you go to Augusta next night, just fantastic memories. You know, I look forward to seeing if I can come back in it.
Bhatia was the solo leader after each of the first three rounds last year before McCarthy picked him up with a final round 63. Bhatia won it with a birdie on the first playoffs.
This time Bhatia has not really thought about defending its title. He is already in the Masters 2025 field, and this week is more about being rounded in the form of this year’s first major.
“You know, I checked in at the hotel and someone asked me, he said,” How did you feel this week? “Bhatia said. “I said,“ Yes, it’s nice to be back. “He’s like,” So, but how are you? I mean, I haven’t really thought about it.
“I feel it’s only another week. I really have my mind at Augusta next week so it’s a fantastic week on this golf course to learn where my game is, what kind of shot I need to improve for next week. It’s a fantastic golf course for it, very narrow, very difficult. It will obviously be blind here. I just feel kind.”
Bhatia added, “It’s a kind of a tune-up week, but it’s also very cool to go back to the back. It has a mixture of both. Maybe I feel different on Thursday when I tee up, but at the moment I am just focused on trying to prepare for this week but also learn where I am on next week.”
Bhatia is one of 25-plus players in the Texas Open Field who is already invited to the champions. If someone else except that group wins the title, he would qualify for Augusta and take the same trip as Bhatia did a year ago.
“It’s such a surreal feeling, you win here, suddenly you are on a plane directly to Augusta National,” Bhatia said. “It’s something you really have to keep off and try to play this golf tournament and see where you end up at the end of the week.”
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