Akshay Bhatia is likely one of the first-timers teeing it up at Kapalua Plantation Course for The Sentry event this week. After successful the Barracuda Championship this previous fall, he secured his spot on this week’s occasion.
Following three days of play and the 21-year-old sits one shot off the 54-hole chief, Chris Kirk.
Sometimes, first-time gamers wrestle with the Plantation Course. The monitor isn’t as straightforward because it seems, however Bhatia’s caddie is aware of this place, and up to now, it has helped.
“I used to be fairly snug at this time, and I do know my recreation’s actually good. Clearly, made a putter change which has been an enormous assist,” Bhatia mentioned. “It’s been feeling actually good. I’m excited to see how I really feel with expectations that I’ve on myself of successful tomorrow.”
Bhatia fired off a bogey-free 66 on Saturday to take a seat at 20-under with 18 holes to play. He recorded seven birdies on his spherical to provide him 22 in 54 holes, tying him for probably the most. That capability to make putts is what he credit to being in rivalry.
This week, he switched to the lengthy putter, which has been a game-changer for him.
“Statistically, my placing has not been good,” he mentioned. “I believe stats could be a little skewed generally, nevertheless it’s simply one thing we sat down and talked about. My psychological coach, my placing coach, my swing coach, everybody was sort of concerned in what resolution I wanted to make.”
Final season, Bhatia ranked 183rd in strokes gained placing. Via three rounds of play on the Sentry, the Wake Forest, N.C. resident is No. 1 in strokes gained placing, choosing up 5.578 pictures on the sphere.
Right here’s the putt that bought Akshay Bhatia to -19.
He at the moment leads the sphere in strokes gained and is third in strokes gained placing.
The lengthy putter is clearly paying off. Final yr, Bhatia ranked 183rd in strokes gained: placing. #TheSentry #PGATour pic.twitter.com/TH7DoaUoS8
— Taking part in Via (@_PlayingThrough) January 6, 2024
He has used the lengthy putter briefly previously, however this week would be the first time it’ll be within the bag all 4 days.
“For me, the pace’s only a lot simpler. Longer putts really feel slightly extra free,” Bhatia mentioned. “I’m not pondering as a lot, I’m visualizing after which hitting. It’s much more liberating, and, yeah, it’s enjoyable to work with it. I informed my coach this week, placing within the wind it’s going to be a unique problem with this putter, so we’ll see the way it goes tomorrow.”
He got here into the week with a no-judgment strategy along with his placing since there’s a new membership within the bag.
“If I make a number of putts or miss a number of putts, I’m not judging the putter, particularly,” he mentioned. “It’s simply sort of how I’ve been. I’m seeing the ball go in much more than I’ve, so it’s good that it’s sort of going on this course.”
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed by different gamers both. Jordan Spieth performed with Bhatia on Saturday and complimented his play on the greens.
“Actually the best way he putted, I imply, he needed to have gained 4 or 5 on the greens at this time, and those that didn’t go in seemed like they had been stepping into,” Spieth mentioned. “18 was the one mishap. The remainder of the day he rolled his rock.”
Might tomorrow be the day Bhatia earns his second PGA Tour victory? Solely 18 holes stand in his approach and a discipline that can combat the leaders to the tip.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. For extra golf protection, remember to observe us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You may also observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.