Indian American golfer Akshay Bhatia continued his fine run at the Tour Championship, carding a 3-under 67 that built on his opening round of 66, bringing him to an impressive 7-under overall. His performance highlighted both precision and resilience, particularly during a strong middle stretch.
Bhatia started steadily with seven consecutive pars before making his move on the seventh hole, where he sank an eight-foot putt for his first birdie. His momentum picked up on the back nine as he holed a brilliant 22-foot putt on the 11th, followed by back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th, each with 13-foot efforts that showcased his putting touch. At that point, he surged to 4-under for the day, looking in complete command.
However, golf’s unpredictable nature showed up soon after. Consecutive bogeys on the 13th and 14th slightly halted his charge, reminding fans of the fine margins at the highest level of the game. Still, Bhatia held his composure, finishing strong. On the par-5 18th, he struck two excellent shots that left him 28 feet from the pin. From there, he calmly two-putted to secure a birdie, wrapping up a solid round.
Meanwhile, in the battle for the lead, England’s Tommy Fleetwood turned in a stunning performance with eight birdies en route to a 7-under 63, climbing to the top of the leaderboard. He was joined by Russell Henley, who posted a 66 to share the lead at the end of Friday’s play.
For Bhatia, the round underlined his growing stature on the PGA Tour. As an Indian American golfer making waves on one of golf’s biggest stages, his composed play and ability to recover from setbacks drew attention from fans and analysts alike. With more action ahead, Bhatia remains in strong contention, aiming to make his mark in a star-studded field.
