Indian American golfer Akshay Bhatia won a playoff to pull off a thrilling victory in the Valero Texas Open and secure a berth in the Augusta Masters, which will mark his Major League debut, the following week.
At the TPC San Antonio here, Denny McCarthy put up a fierce fight, birdying eight of the final nine holes, but Bhatia prevailed. It was essentially the final berth left at the Augusta Masters. Bhatia fulfils a goal and a promise he made to his mother years ago by winning and getting into the Masters.
Beginning the day four shots ahead of pace, 22-year-old Bhatia (67) soared six clear, but McCarthy’s incredible back-nine charge left the two players level at 20-under after 72 holes.