Despite an impressive 2024 season on the PGA Tour, Akshay Bhatia isn't entirely satisfied as he heads into this week's Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina. With the Wyndham marking the final event of the regular season, Bhatia is already eyeing the upcoming playoffs, starting with next week's FedEx St. Jude Championship. Currently ranked No. 8 in the FedExCup standings, Bhatia is well-positioned to qualify for the tournament, where only the top 70 players will compete. The field will then be reduced to 50 for the BMW Championship, followed by the Tour Championship for the top 30 players.
Reflecting on his first full year on tour, Bhatia expressed excitement about finally competing in the playoffs, a milestone he missed last year. He recalled attending the Tour Championship as a young fan in Atlanta and now looks forward to potentially playing in it himself. Bhatia's season has been marked by significant achievements, including his participation in all four majors for the first time. Although he missed the cut at the PGA Championship and the Open Championship, he tied for 35th at the Masters and finished T16 at the US Open.
Bhatia also claimed his second PGA Tour title this year, winning the Valero Texas Open in April. Reflecting on his season, he acknowledged the ups and downs but expressed satisfaction with his overall performance. The 22-year-old noted that winning on tour is no easy feat and described his victory at the Valero Texas Open as a "fairy tale" moment, especially since it secured his spot at the Masters.
Looking beyond this season, Bhatia has his sights set on playing in the Presidents Cup, which will take place in Montreal from September 24-29. Representing his country is a significant goal for Bhatia, who finds inspiration in the Olympics and hopes to earn a spot on the team. The young golfer is motivated by the stories he's heard about the camaraderie and experiences in the team rooms during such international competitions.
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