Akshay Bhatia Makes Miraculous Par After 97-Yard Tee Shot At Rocket Mortgage Classic

Bhatia remained in a share of the lead going into the back nine of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, as par saves, like this one, at the 13th hole, helped the young American stay in contention

Akshay Bhatia strikes a tee shot with his driver
(Image credit: Getty Images/PGA Tour.com)

Akshay Bhatia came into the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic in a share of the lead with Englishman, Aaron Rai, with Bhatia fighting tooth-and-nail throughout at Detroit Golf Club.

Going out in a one-under 35, the American remained in contention and, as the 13th hole showed, Bhatia wasn't giving in... That was despite his tee shot going just 97-yards after it struck a tree!

As mentioned, Bhatia produced two birdies and one bogey on the front side, as pars on the 10th, 11th and 12th kept him at 18-under for the tournament and in a share of the lead with Aussie, Cam Davis.

Playing the par 4 13th, the ninth hardest hole of the day on Sunday, Bhatia set up for a fade off the tee but, on impact, the left-hander's tee shot struck a tree to the right of the fairway, with his ball coming to rest in the rough.

In total, it went 97 yards but, despite being the youthful age of just 22, Bhatia showed no emotion and managed to hoick a wood back to the fairway and inside the 45-yard mark of the flag.

Akshay Bhatia hits a tee shot

Bhatia during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Clipping a wedge, Bhatia was left with an eight-foot putt which, importantly, he was able to convert. Not only did it keep him at 18-under for the tournament, but following a slice of bad luck for nearest opponent, Davis, at the 14th, Bhatia found himself leading with a handful of holes remaining.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x