Akshay Bhatia was just 17 when he got a free ride with Phil Mickelson on his private jet—all thanks to Steve Loy, their agent. The teenager’s awkwardness was apparent as he sat quietly, trying not to embarrass himself or annoy the veteran, but he failed. When the cabin crew began converting their seats to beds for a quick nap, he happened to be sitting on the chair that was supposed to turn into the biggest bed. “Let Phil take that bed,” Loy suggested, but Bhatia was embarrassed due to his faux pas. However, he realized they had way more than just an agent in common.

They were both lefties, and that became a point they bonded over. Mickelson told the kid about the time he won the Tucson Open as an amateur and other stories that left Bhatia in awe. Soon, ‘Lefty’ became a big brother to him. Michaelson not only took the young talent “under his swing” but also helped him navigate the early stages of his career. And for that, Bhatia was grateful. Now 23 years old, he will play at Augusta and compete with the veteran golfer, in what marks his second appearance and Mickelson’s 32nd. Given their bond and Lefty’s experience, you’d expect the latter to have advised Bhatia, but it turns out that is not quite what happened. Hear it from Mr. Bhatia himself!

Just after the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday, when asked whether Mickelson gave any tip to him, he responded, “Phil, no. I haven’t talked to him this week. I was going to call him this week just to see what to look out for. This year, he’s kind of been doing his own thing, but I feel like I have a good grasp of the golf course.” Bhatia saying that Lefty has been doing his own thing makes sense. After all, he’s trying to get another major, believing it’s “within reach.” But do you know what’s interesting about the 2025 Masters?

Eight left-handed golfers will be teeing it up in Augusta. Now, that’s a new record. Mike Weir, Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Brian Harman, Matt McCarty, Joe Highsmith, Robert MacIntyre, and Bhatia are all left-handed. While the initial three golfers mentioned have six green jackets amongst them, the latter five have all won PGA Tour events in the last year.

It isn’t just Bhatia who has immense respect for Mickselson. Earlier, even Michael Kim shared a post revealing that he, Noah Kent, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson played a 9-hole team match during the practice round. While admiring the Lefty, Michael Kim said, “Phil was just awesome to play a practice round at ANGC.” It could be one of the things the LIV golfer has been busy with.

There is no doubt that Mickelson brings the wisdom—the mentee soaks it up like a sponge. “He’s a very impressive golfer. I think he’s going to have a lot of success and a long career,” said Mickelson about Akshay Bhatia in 2021.

Speaking of mentorship, back in 2021, the 54-year-old guided Bhatia at the 10 hole of PGA West’s Nicklaus Tournament Course. Both players had just rolled their downhill birdie putts when Phil Mickelson said, “I know we’re going to both make them, but let’s putt them anyway. You’re a little closer, so it’s in your favor.”

Mickelson missed the putt, but Bhatia hit a 5-iron from 221 yards to inches from the hole—a shot he said would’ve been his first albatross. Mickelson praised Bhatia for that and also gave another lesson. He said, “Obviously it’s good, I just wanted you to see how close it was.” While Akshay Bhatia’s admiration is clear, what about Phil Mickelson? What does he think of this rising young talent?

Akshay Bhatia is “brilliant” as per Phil Mickelson!

Earlier this year, Bhatia shared that he was blown away by Phil Mickelson’s legendary Masters notebook. “He’s got this notepad from, I think he said from 2003 maybe, of all his notes that he’s written down over the years of Augusta… I mean, it was mind-blowing and something that takes a lot of dedication, a lot of work, obviously a lot of experience too.”

But last year, when Akshay Bhatia debuted at ANGC. After the first round, Mickelson admired the fellow golfer as he recalled travelling in the same flight to the venue. “I think he’s a brilliant talent,” Mickelson said.

Phil Mickelson once recounted the time he flew with a 17-year-old Akshay Bhatia to his first tournament as a professional. During the flight, they had a thoughtful conversation about Bhatia’s future. As Mickelson remembered it, the young golfer was already weighing his options of being a better person or a golfer.

Fast forward to now, Akshay Bhatia is proving his decision right. While Phil Mickelson focuses on his game at the Masters, do you think his mentorship could help Bhatia wear the green jacket this time?