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Akshay Bhatia Outduels Denny McCarthy to Win 2024 Valero Texas Open
Photo: Erik Williams/USA TODAY Sports

Akshay Bhatia Outduels Denny McCarthy to Win 2024 Valero Texas Open

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net  |  By Jack Bushman  |  Last updated 4/8/24

With just seven holes to play in the final round of the 2024 Valero Texas Open, 22-year-old Akshay Bhatia held a five-shot lead over Denny McCarthy and appeared as if he would be able to cruise to victory. After all, Bhatia had led after each of the tournament's first three days and was three-under in the final round, racing out to 18-under total. There was no threat for the former amateur standout. At least, that's how it appeared.

But then pure chaos ensued at TPC San Antonio over the next two hours, leading to one of the most thrilling finishes in tournament history.

After making just two birdies in the opening 10 holes, McCarthy poured in a 32-foot birdie putt at the par-4 12th hole, cutting Bhatia's lead down to four shots. However, with only six holes remaining on the back nine, a comeback of such magnitude felt far-fetched.

McCarthy rolled in his second consecutive birdie at the long par-3 13th, sticking his approach shot to within four feet of the pin. Bhatia's lead then fell to three shots with five holes to play.

Then came another birdie for McCarthy at the par-5 14th, and he followed that up by chipping in from off the green to narrow the gap once again. With three holes to play, Bhatia led by only two strokes.

While Bhatia missed the green at the par-3 16th hole, McCarthy again stuck another approach shot in tight, and he went on to make the putt for his fifth straight birdie.

With the lead down to one shot for Bhatia, the final grouping hit the driveable par-4 17th hole. McCarthy hit a splendid drive and chipped his second shot to within a few feet, but Bhatia hit a clutch bunker shot to within six feet to have an opportunity to match. The putter had been solid for Akshay most of the final round, but he didn't hit the putt with enough conviction and ended up missing on the low side.

Of course, McCarthy, one of the premiere putters on the PGA Tour, knocked home his four-footer to even up the score at 19-under.

In just seven holes, Bhatia's five-shot lead had vanished, and there was now a possibility of potentially losing in regulation going to the par-5 18th hole.

Both players layed up with their second shots and had a wedge in their hands for their approach shots. Fittingly, Bhatia stuffed his shot to 11.5 feet, while McCarthy perfectly utilized the back slope of the green and knocked his shot to 12.5 feet.

McCarthy was first to play on the green, and as he had done over the last six holes, he found the center of the cup to take the outright lead at 20-under. And Bhatia's worst nightmare had become a reality. He had to make his putt JUST to get into a playoff in San Antonio.

With all the pressure on his shoulders, despite an unbelievable run from McCarthy and his back against the wall, Bhatia clutched up and drilled his 11.5-footer to force a playoff. Simply sensational.

The two players headed back to the 18th hole for the playoff, however, Bhatia was seen grabbing his shoulder and reportedly injured himself while celebrating his putt on the final hole of regulation. As if the drama needed to be heightened any more than it already was.

Bhatia and McCarthy found themselves in similar situations to the 18th on the first playoff hole, as they both layed up into the fairway with their second shots and didn't have much distance left into the green.

But then the unexpected struck once again, as McCarthy chunked his wedge shot short of the green and into the water hazard to seal the deal.

All Bhatia had to do was hit the green from inside 100 yards, which he did beautifully, leaving himself just a five-foot putt for the victory. Bhatia knocked home his birdie putt on the first playoff hole to secure his second career PGA Tour victory, becoming the fifth-youngest golfer to win twice in the circuit's history.

Akshay Bhatia Is Masters-Bound

With the win, Bhatia moves to No. 12 in the 2024 FedExCup standings, earning fully exempt status on Tour through the 2026 season. But most importantly, he became the first Drive, Chip, and Putt participant to qualify for the Masters, as he will receive an invitation to the most prestigious tournament in golf with his win at the Valero Texas Open.

"It was on my mind all week," Bhatia said about having the opportunity to play in this year's Masters with a victory in San Antonio. "I tried to stick to my game plan. And I have bigger goals than just playing the Masters. I have more goals that I want to achieve, and this kind of helps me [with] that."

When asked about how aware he was of the score between he and McCarthy down the stretch, Bhatia said he knew it was tied going to the 18th but was still trying to play his game and remain calm.

"I kind of knew where I stood, but I tried to stay true to myself, stick to my game plan. I was 4-under... that was my goal today, but I guess I needed 5 and I got that on the last putt. Yeah, it was pretty crazy. Denny played awesome again and his win's coming soon."

After missing a short putt on the 17th, it couldn't have been easy for Bhatia to muster up the confidence and stay focused enough to drain the 11.5-footer he faced on the 18th green. But he never backed down for one single second, and he got himself in the perfect mindset to get the job done.

"I kind of just told myself, let's fricken go, like this is kind of your moment and you miss it, OK, you finish second. But I just had that feeling that I can do it. It's a good feeling to have because some people can kind of shy away from the moment and I feel like I'm starting to get better at embracing it."

You sure are, Akshay. You sure are.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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