The Origin Story
Akshay Bhatia is a left-handed PGA Tour winner who took one of the most unconventional paths to the pro game.
Skipping College
Born in California to parents from India, Bhatia moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina, as a kid. He was runner-up at the 2018 U.S. Junior Amateur and became the youngest player and first high schooler to represent the U.S. in the Walker Cup. Then he skipped college entirely, turning pro at 17 in 2019.
Winning on Tour
Bhatia worked his way up through sponsor invitations and the Korn Ferry Tour, then won the 2023 Barracuda Championship in a playoff. His 2024 Valero Texas Open win made him the first Drive, Chip & Putt finalist to reach the Masters, and in 2026 he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his first Signature Event.