PGA TOUR
Bhatia Wins Valero Texas Open After Dramatic Finish
Akshay Bhatia won the 93rd Valero Texas Open in a wild finish at TPC San Antonio. The 22-year-old American, who began the day four shots clear in the lead, moved to a six-stroke advantage at the turn on Sunday over nearest rival Denny McCarthy. Then, things got interesting! McCarthy fired one of the greatest back nine performances in PGA TOUR history to send the event into an unlikely playoff. Bhatia won at the first extra hole making a birdie while McCarthy dunked his third shot into the water hazard at the par 5, 18th hole.
Bhatia and McCarthy reached 20-under in regulation play after holing clutch birdies putts at the 72nd green. McCarthy poured in his birdie from 12 feet. Bhatia followed him into the cup from 11 feet to force the playoff. They were nine shots clear of Rory McIlroy, who took third place.
Bhatia, the world No. 87, covered his front nine on Sunday in three-under to take a commanding six-shot lead into the final nine holes over McCarthy. McCarthy, who was playing with Bhatia in the final group, exploded into action on the back nine recording an incredible 8-under 28 to sign for a 9-under 63 and the low round on Sunday by three shots. The scintillating back nine included peeling off seven consecutive birdies to close out his round and match Kevin Streelman with the PGA TOUR record for most birdies in a row to finish the round. McCarthy was red hot on the greens rolling just 92 putts for the week to match the fewest putts for four rounds in PGA TOUR history. In the end, it was heartbreak for McCarthy, who was searching for his maiden PGA TOUR victory at his 174th start. It was the 31-year-old’s second runner up effort. He lost a playoff to Viktor Hovland at the 2023 Memorial Tournament.
With his victory, Bhatia punched his ticket to Augusta for his first attempt at next week’s Masters Tournament. He became the 10th player in the last 50 years to win more than one PGA TOUR title before turning 23 years old. His first PGA TOUR title came at the 2023 Barracuda Championship.
McIlroy fired a bogey-free 6-under 66 to get him to 11-under for a solo third place result. The 34-year-old heads to Augusta with solid form as he continues his pursuit to win The Masters and achieve the career grand slam of major championships. The Northern Irishman will be making his 16th start at The Masters with a best finish runner up performance in 2022. McIlroy missed the cut last year.
Russell Henley birdied the final hole to reach 10-under and outright fourth place for his third top five finish from his last seven starts.
Adam Scott was the best-placed Australian. The 43-year-old carded a final round 2-under 70 to get to 5-under for a T14 result.
The PGA TOUR moves to Georgia for The Masters to be staged at Augusta National Golf Club. Spain’s Jon Rahm is the defending champion.
Final Scores
1. Akshay Bhatia -20
2. Denny McCarthy -20
3. Rory McIlroy -11
4. Russell Henley -10
T5. Adam Schenk -9
T5. Brendon Todd -9
T7. Ben Martin -8
T7. Tommy Fleetwood -8
T7. Hideki Matsuyama -8
Australians
T14. Adam Scott -4
T39. Aaron Baddeley -2
MC. Harrison Endycott
