Akshay Bhatia Turns Fans’ ‘G.O.A.T’ as Scottie Scheffler & Rory McIlroy Finds New Contender In Their Elite Race

Akshay Bhatia is on a roll at the Motor City! A win at the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic could see him join the two elite pros of the PGA Tour, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in a unique fashion. After 54 holes, the 2-time PGA Tour winner has taken a lead tied with Aaron Rai.

Notably, Bhatia never lost his pace at Detroit Golf Club and was always in contention. If he does go on to win the Rocket Mortgage Classic, it will be his second victory of the season, following a triumph at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.

With this, Bhatia will join Scheffler, who has won six times, and McIlroy, who has carded two of his own victories, to become only the third PGA Tour pro to win multiple times in the 2024 season so far. Additionally, a victory at the Detroit GC would also mean that the 22-year-old will rank up in the OWGR and may enter the top 15s.

Seeing Bhatia add his name to the elite circle after a possible win at the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic, the golf world rejoiced and could not wait for the LA native to celebrate his third PGA Tour win at the Detroit Golf Club’s greens.

The golf world anticipates Akshay Bhatia’s third PGA Tour victory

There are more than two months for the 2024 President Cup to start at the Royal Montreal Golf Club, but with this victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Akshay Bhatia might earn a spot in it. For the President Cup, six players are chosen based on the event’s standings and six are the captain’s choice. Bhatia, 13th on the standings, will have a chance to enter through either of those options. Thus, the Athletics, Justin Ray speculated, “President’s Cup?” with a smug face meme under it.

In the last 54 holes at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Bhatia has not drained a single bogey. Instead, he has one eagle and fifteen birdies in three rounds to be 17 under 199. Seeing the impressive rounds by Bhatia, many fans now wanted him to be the ultimate winner. As this user declared, they were “Pulling for the kid!” Another fan also showcased their love for the 22-year-old as he inches closer to third PGA Tour silverware. They said, “Love me some Akshay.”

Bhatia might win the Rocket Mortgage Classic but he will have to defeat Aaron Rai, who has an identical scoreline as his. While the 22-year-old is chasing his third win, the English pro will be eyeing his maiden PGA Tour victory. Thus, this fan described who they thought could win, using a dollar sign, a heart, and a brain emoticon. This sure perfectly articulated, how they were feeling. They said, “💰Rai ❤ Rai 🧠Bhatia.”

Lastly, came the the most loyal fan of Akshay Bhatia. Despite Bhatia’s impressive performance and the potential to join the golfing greats, the young star is already taking the necessary steps towards it, with the possibility of him joining Scheffler and McIlroy, one user shared their excitement. They declared him the “]G.O.A.T] 🐐🐐🐐” by using the sheep emojis to indicate such.

Akshay Bhatia will have a challenge on his hands with rising expectations and the pressure to emerge victorious and add the Rocket Mortgage Classic laurel to his portfolio. Will he be able to rise to the occasion? It remains to be seen.