Akshay Bhatia earned a dramatic play-off win at the Valero Texas Open to see off an incredible charge from Denny McCarthy and book his spot at the Masters.
American prospect, Bhatia, looked to be cruising to victory after racing into a six-shot lead but McCarthy, who started four back on 11-under for the tournament, posted an incredible 28 on the back nine.
McCarthy, who is yet to win on the PGA Tour, finished with seven straight birdies, including at the 72nd hole, leaving Bhatia to hole a clutch putt to finish on -20 and force a play-off.
Bhatia, who won at the first play-off hole after McCarthy went in the water, said: "This was awesome, it is hard to win out here. I just stuck to my game plan, I played great. Danny played unbelievable. When you see him get hot it is scary. When he makes that putt on 18, what a crazy day."
Bhatia followed McCarthy in at the last for his own birdie before injuring his left shoulder celebrating. "When I made that putt it came out of the socket and went back in," he revealed.
However Bhatia, who got treatment from a trainer in the play-off, kept his composure and both he and his family are now looking forward to his debut at the Masters. "It was my mum's birthday recently and she was hoping I would get into the Masters."
Valero Texas Open Leaderboard
- -20 BHATIA, McCARTHY
- -11 McILROY
- -10 HENLEY
- -9 SCHENK, TODD
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-8 MARTIN, FLEETWOOD, MATSUYAMA
Updates From...
SPIETH ENJOYING A MUCH BETTER TIME TODAY
Fan favourite Jordan Spieth endured a day to forget in the third round as his 72 even included a shot on to the clubhouse roof which ended in the gutter. But Spieth has made a fine start today with two birdies in his first three holes to climb to -5 and into tied seventh.
Cinema.Jordan Spieth hits it onto the ROOF of the clubhouse @ValeroTXOpen. https://t.co/5S5ROxqmmG pic.twitter.com/H0obEXNOjuApril 6, 2024
LEADERS TEE OFF AS BHATIA SHOWS HE MEANS BUSINESS
What an opening drive from Bhatia who shows no signs of nerves as he smashes his opening tee shot 350 yards down the fairway. His adrenaline must be flowing freely.
CONTENDERS OPEN UP WITH BIRDIES
Hideki Matsuyama has already won on the PGA Tour once this year and he will fancy another title if Bhatia slips up. The Japanese pro has opened up with a birdie 3 at the first in the group ahead after holing out from the sand to -8.
One hop, off the flagstick and IN! @HidekiOfficial_ moves to 8-under after a chip-in birdie from the bunker @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/dZw15AgcGeApril 7, 2024
BHATIA TAPS IN FOR OPENING BIRDIE TO EXTEND LEAD
Dream start for Bhatia who now leads by five shots after an opening birdie on the first. A huge drive left him just 108 yards in which he put to seven foot before converting.
Entering the week, @AkshayBhatia_1's only way into the Masters was by winning @ValeroTXOpen. He holds a five-shot lead with a birdie at the first, looking to go wire-to-wire in Texas. pic.twitter.com/q0vYzd0YTpApril 7, 2024
BHATIA'S IMPRESSIVE START CONTINUES ON SECOND
Our leader has followed up his opening birdie with a drive of 319 yards to the right side of the fairway leaving 276 yards to hole at the 598-yard par 5.
McILROY MAKES PROMISING START IN FINAL ROUND BEFORE MASTERS
Rory McIlroy, who will tee up at Augusta next week chasing a Grand Slam, is -2 after three holes in his final round to get to -7. Elsewhere Adam Schenk is -3 after four holes to get to -7.
BHATIA'S SENSATIONAL START CONTINUES
Bhatia, who is bidding to go wire to wire, literally could not have dreamed of a better start than this surely after following his opening birdie with another on the second to extend his lead to six shots. He hit two big shots into the green side bunker at the par 5 second before playing out to leave a tap in birdie.
BHATIA IN GOOD SHAPE ON THE THIRD
Leader Bhatia has hit the green at the par 3 third from 166 yards after firing his tee shot to 18 foot. He can't make a third straight birdie but has a tap in par.
BHATIA'S AMAZING DRIVING CONTINUES ON FOURTH
Bhatia, who leads by six, has just boomed another huge drive on to the fairway. His latest effort goes 349 yards to the right side of the fairway, leaving 119 yards to hole. The 22-year-old then fires his wedge in close to six foot leaving it below the hole to enable him to convert his third birdie in four holes.
BHATIA MISSES FIRST FAIRWAY ON FIFTH
Left-hander Bhatia, taking a fairway wood off the tee, is in the left-hand rough at the 396-yard par four fifth to lie 113 yards away. But Bhatia nearly holes it and will have another look at birdie. Incredible form from the leader. He doesn't convert from 12 feet but is only the second player in the field so far today to put it so close.
NORMAL SERVICE RESUMES FOR BHATIA WHO FINDS SIXTH FAIRWAY
After missing his first fairway off the tee at the fifth, Bhatia, who has been driving the ball so well, has just fired the ball 271 yards on to the left side of the fairway leaving 121 yards to hole. His approach rolls off into the fringe but the leader has chipped up close and taps in for par to stay six shots ahead.
McILROY UP INTO SIXTH SPOT AFTER THIRD BIRDIE OF DAY
McIlroy, who had a lesson recently with Butch Harmon, has just recorded his third birdie of the day after eight holes to climb to sixth as he looks for a good finish ahead of the Masters.
BHATIA FINDS THE GREEN AT THE PAR 3 SEVENTH
Bhatia continues to keep the field at arm's length with a six shot lead after finding the par 3 seventh with a 5 iron from 213 yards, where he makes par.
RARE ERROR FROM BHATIA OFF EIGHTH TEE AS FINDS SAND
Bhatia's tee shot on the eighth has flown 252 yards into the right fairway bunker, 343 yards from hole but it is a par 5 giving the leader a better chance of escaping with at least a par.
HENLEY AMONG THE CHASING PACK AFTER NEARLY MAKING ACE
Russell Henley is going well at -2 today after eight holes to get to -9 and he could be even better if he had aced the par 3 seventh when his tee shot hit the pin and he ended up with a par.
Bounced off the flagstick!Russell Henley nearly dunked this one @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/qBKFR3ERwaApril 7, 2024
BHATIA MAKES LATEST PAR ON EIGHT AS PACK MISS CHANCE TO CLOSE
With such a big lead, pars are going to be good enough from this point for Bhatia. He drove into the sand on the par 5 eighth but played out and was 18 feet away in three. He then putts up close to get his par as his playing partners Denny McCarthy and Brendon Todd both miss their birdie putts and are unable to exert any pressure.
IS BHATIA CREAKING AS HE APPROACHES THE TURN?
Bhatia,22, has looked ice cool out in front as he bids to go wire to wire. But the 22-year-old left-hander, who likes to fade the ball, has just turned over his last two drives and missed the eighth and now the ninth on the right. The ninth hole is playing tough today and Aberg and Henley have just dropped shots there up ahead but Bhatia puts his approach to the fringe.
BHATIA MAKES THE TURN WITH PAR AT NINE AND REMAINS -18
Bhatia makes his par at the tricky 480-yard par four ninth after he chips up close from the fringe. He is looking good for the biggest win of his career to clinch a spot in the Masters.
McILROY INTO SOLO THIRD WITH FIFTH BIRDIE IN 11 HOLES
How encouraging is this for Rory McIlroy ahead of the Masters...back to back birdies on 10 and 11 have got the Northern Irishman to -5 today and -10 in total in third place alone ahead of next week's Major to Augusta. Proof that his recent work with Butch Harmon is working.
BHATIA DROPS HIS FIRST SHOT AFTER ERROR ON 10TH
Just when Bhatia appeared to be cruising to victory, drama on the 10th and Bhatia's six-shot lead is down to four after he three-putted from 15 foot from the edge of the green following playing partner McCarthy's birdie.
COMEDY MOMENT ON THE COVERAGE FROM MAX HOMA'S DRIVE
Volunteer of the year nominee ... pic.twitter.com/bbxKaYHt69April 7, 2024
BHATIA RECORDS FINE BOUNCE BACK BIRDIE ON 11
After dropping his first shot on the 10th with a three-putt from 15 feet, Bhatia will have a birdie putt on the 11th after putting his wedge close from 95 yards. He converts it downhill left to right and fist pumps.
Bouncing back from his first bogey of the day.Leader @AkshayBhatia_1 responds with another birdie to extend his lead to five @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/QgQZvKkvssApril 7, 2024
BHATIA SAVES PAR ON 12 AFTER LOOSE DRIVE
Bhatia has played a low shot out of the rough to the front edge of the green after missing the fairway off the tee. He has then chipped up close and has a tap in for par as McCarthy converts a superb birdie and the lead is down to four.
Not going away without a fight 👊@_DennyMcCarthy gets within four of the lead @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/UCnVhhIYePApril 7, 2024
BHATIA HAS FOUR SHOT LEAD WITH SIX HOLES LEFT
DRAMA ON 13TH AS BHATIA FINDS GREEN BUT McCARTHY IS CLOSER
What a shot from McCarthy at the par 3 13th which is 251 yards long. McCarthy has put his tee shot to 3 foot 11 inches and has a chance to cut Bhatia's lead to three shots which he achieves as the leader makes par.
Closing the gap.@_DennyMcCarthy cuts the lead to three shots with a birdie at the par-3 13th.. pic.twitter.com/d2sg2w0OzFApril 7, 2024
BHATIA SEEMS UNFAZED BY McCARTHY'S CHARGE
McCarthy is now -4 for today and -15 in total, just three shots behind Bhatia. McCarthy has started to assert serious pressure on the back nine with three birdies in the first four holes. However Bhatia doesn't seem unduly bothered after a 329-yard drive into the middle of the fairway on the par 5 14th from where he finds the green side trap with his second before splashing out to make birdie as McCarthy also gets a four.
BHATIA AND McCARTHY BOTH IN DECENT SHAPE OFF 15TH TEE
Bhatia and McCarthy have both thumped decent drives down the par 4 15th. Bhatia's is especially impressive at 308 yards into the middle of the fairway where he has just 138 yards to the flag but the pair both come up surprisingly short of the green. McCarthy chips in though in stunning fashion for a fourth straight birdie as he trims the lead to two following Bhatia's two-putt par from the fringe.
Four birdies in a row! @_DennyMcCarthy cuts the lead to two shots @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/PAUaLWBcZbApril 7, 2024
McCARTHY IS APPLYING HUGE PRESSURE AND IT IS TAKING ITS TOLL
McCarthy is on a heck of a run after four birdies in a row from the 12th in search of his first PGA Tour win. He has now put a nine iron in close on the 16th to 12 feet at the par 3. It has reduced Bhatia's lead from six shots to one as McCarthy drains his 12 footer and Bhatia two putts for a par.
FIVE straight birdies 🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦@_DennyMcCarthy has 6 putts in his last 7 holes to get within one! pic.twitter.com/kwx2ejQkE4April 7, 2024
ENCOURAGING ROUND FOR RORY WHO FINISHES WITH A 66
McIlroy has just finished with a birdie at the par 5 last to sign for a 66 and a -11 total after an impressive -6 round. McIlroy has been working with Butch Harmon recently and will head to Augusta with renewed confidence ahead of his latest Grand Slam bid after his best finish on tour this season for his first top ten this term.
THRILLING SHOOT-OUT FOR BHATIA AND McCARTHY ON 17
Bhatia now just has a one shot lead after both he and McCarthy missed the 17th green at the short par 4 with the leader in the sand and first to play. He splashes out to five feet and McCarthy chips his ball inside it. Brilliant play. Can Bhatia hold his nerve to ensure he has a lead up the last? No as he misses and McCarthy converts.
WHAT DRAMA AS McCARTHY'S BIRDIE CHARGE CONTINUES
McCarthy has just reeled off his SIXTH birdie in a row at the short par 4 17th and the pressure has told on Bhatia who has missed a short putt to stay infront. This is sensational golf by McCarthy who is chasing his first win on the PGA Tour. He is now -7 on the back nine alone and -8 in total today as Bhatia's six-shot lead has evaporated.
From six shots back to tied for the lead.Sunday drama @ValeroTXOpen 🍿 pic.twitter.com/s6f9DZLop7April 7, 2024
BHATIA AND McCARTHY HEAD UP THE LAST TIED AT TOP
The joint leaders have got their tee shots away on the 18th and the pair are both about 300 yards away at the par 5 and will have to lay up. Bhatia has the better line from the fringe of the left-side rough but both players chose to lay up and we will have a wedge shoot-out.
BHATIA AND McCARTHY BOTH ON FAIRWAY IN TWO AT PAR 5 LAST
Bhatia will be first to play his third from 102 yards before McCarthy will play his third from 67 yards at the last. A birdie for one of the pros could win this thrilling duel or we might have a play-offs.
BHATIA WEDGES IN CLOSE AND McCARTHY DOES LIKEWISE
The shoot-out is now down to a putting contest for the joint leaders who are -19. Bhatia is 11 ft 6 in from the hole and McCarthy is 12 ft 6 in away.
It all comes down to this.Tied for the lead and both players will have a birdie putt on the 72nd hole. pic.twitter.com/fNZs1XGnL1April 7, 2024
INCREDIBLE FROM McCARTHY WHO HOLES FOR HIS 7TH SUCCESSIVE BIRDIE
Amazing golf from Denny McCarthy who has just completed his seventh straight birdie and his eight from nine holes on the back nine. Now Bhatia must hole to force a play off and he follows him in. Unbelievable
WE ARE GOING INTO A PLAY-OFF HERE ON THE 18TH
McCarthy finished with eight putts on the last nine holes, where he also chipped in, to ensure he and Bhatia, who was -5 himself in the final round, go to a play-off here in Texas. McCarthy is already in the Masters next week and Bhatia needs to win to punch his ticket. McCarthy's display has tied the PGA Tour record for just 92 putts in 72 holes.
CLUTCH!@AkshayBhatia_1 birdies the par-5 18th to force a playoff @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/MhL2ysKfq1April 7, 2024
DEJA VU AS BOTH PLAYERS AGAIN LAY UP AT PAR 5 LAST
Bhatia has found the fairway and smashed his drive further than McCarthy who will be forced to lay up. Bhatia could potentially go for the green in two at the par 5 but both players have laid up and we have another wedge contest.
OH MY, McCARTHY HAS JUST DUMPED HIS WEDGE IN THE DRINK
More huge drama at the first play-off hole where McCarthy has just dumped his wedge and his third shot in the water infront of the green. Bhatia now just needs to put his wedge from about 85 yards on to the green but he strangely opted to take a brief break to get treatment on a shoulder injury incurred from punching the air wildly when he forced a play-off. Yet he has shrugged off the injury to fire his wedge in close.
Winning is hard. Denny McCarthy has found the water from 99 yards out on the first playoff hole. pic.twitter.com/41GpsUEvEZApril 7, 2024
BHATIA NOW HAS TWO PUTTS FROM CLOSE RANGE FOR THE TITLE
McCarthy's unforced error fatting his wedge into the drink has left Bhatia with at least two putts from in close to win.
VICTORY FOR ASKHAY BHATIA WHO IS GOING TO THE MASTERS
Bhatia birdies the first play-off hole to beat McCarthy who had put his approach into the water.
A winner in Texas 🏆 @AkshayBhatia_1 wins the @ValeroTXOpen on the first playoff hole. pic.twitter.com/uKAlpejle9April 7, 2024
