Akshay Bhatia made Masters history and dislocated his shoulder on the same crazy Sunday.
The 22-year-old golf ace completed a special full-circle moment when he earned a spot in the upcoming 2024 Masters tournament.
Bhatia received the 89th and final Augusta invite when he held on to win a dramatic Valero Texas Open, despite throwing out his shoulder on a fist pump that followed a playoff-forcing birdie putt.
“When I made that putt and I kind of raised my arm, it kind of came out of socket and went back in,” Bhatia said.
But while he shot 20-under and won a playoff to receive a prestigious Masters spot, it was a heartwarming video from 10 years ago that really told the story.
Bhatia has become the first Drive, Chip and Putt contestant to compete at Augusta and then officially compete in the Masters.
The Drive, Chip and Putt challenge is a junior competition held during Masters week with the aim to showcase the future stars of the game.
“This is awesome,” Bhatia said. “It’s hard to win out there as it showed today.
“My mom’s birthday was April 1 and her wish was to go to the Masters.”
The Los Angeles-born and North Carolina resident now has two PGA Tour wins and more than $5million in career earnings despite his tender years.
He won the Barracuda Championship in July but since it was held on the same weekend as The Open, the victory did not qualify Bhatia for the majors this year.
That changed in San Antonio, even though Bhatia almost gave away the win and had to have his shoulder put back into place before the final round was finished.
The former Drive, Chip and Putt contestant has fulfilled his mother’s wish and will participate alongside superstars like Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm this week.
“What a crazy, crazy day,” Bhatia said.
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News Summary:
- PGA Tour star makes Masters history in wholesome ‘full circle’ moment after dislocating shoulder in ‘crazy’ win to secure final invite
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