Bhatia hopes to overcome a tough course on his maiden visit to India

The Hero Indian Open golf has had its share of big names turning up over the years and the excitement around Akshay Bhatia would clearly be up there with the best. The 24-year-old Indian-origin American is on his first visit to the country and will be the top draw on the course, evident from the fact that he had an entire pre-event press conference to himself on Tuesday.

And he did not disappoint, making all the right noises, appreciating the course and looking forward to the competition. “This was supposed to happen in 2020 but then Covid happened. But happy to be here for the first time. The course looks very difficult from what I’ve seen. I just really look forward to being here and exploring some of Delhi,” Bhatia said at the interaction that started almost an hour late.

Considered one of the biggest upcoming talents on the PGA Tour since turning professional at the age of 19 in 2019, Bhatia already has three Tour titles under his belt including the marquee Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this month — all of them in playoffs.

“I think I just apply pressure consistently. Part of it is luck and part of it is the pressure I was able to put on each of those players,” Bhatia laughed on handling crunch situations.

He admitted there would be more of those over the weekend. “I’ve watched a bunch of highlights of this event — how hard the course is, 17 being a signature hole and then obviously walking by 18 today, how far uphill it looks from the green up to the fairway. You have to be very strategic and I think it’s great,” he agreed.

Speaking about his experience of competing in the Augusta Masters for the third time next month — having made the cut both in 2024 and 2025 — Bhatia admitted it was a test of patience. “Every hole is tough. Five is historically one of the hardest, 12 is very tricky. And 18 is a very tough hole. There are not many holes where you can lollygag down the fairway, it tests your patience”.