A young rising PGA star wasn’t even supposed to be at Augusta National this year. But when he won the Valero Texas Open in a dramatic playoff just days before the Masters, the gates to golf’s most sacred grounds swung open—and the 23-year-old lefty strolled through with the kind of youthful swagger that’s becoming his trademark. Akshay Bhatia finished T42 at the 2025 Masters, carding +4. On paper, it’s modest. But when you consider how quickly he’s climbed—from teenage phenom to two-time PGA Tour winner—it’s just another step in what feels like an inevitable rise. Not just a talented up-and-comer, but someone who’s been battle-tested and is starting to figure it out. But here’s where things get really interesting.

On a recent appearance on GOLF’s Subpar podcast, recorded live at the RBC Heritage, Bhatia opened up about a surprising twist in his journey: how following advice from none other than Phil Mickelson—a man who once publicly tipped him for greatness—actually set him back for nearly seven years.

Let’s rewind for a second.

Back in 2021, Mickelson, fresh off becoming the oldest major winner in history at the PGA Championship, saw something special in the young lefty. “I love seeing left-handed golfers thrive, and yesterday watching a young lefty win on tour for the first time was impressive. Akshay is not far behind,” Mickelson said. “He’s a very impressive golfer. I think he’s going to have a lot of success and a long career.” It was high praise from ‘Lefty’ himself. And for a 19-year-old like Bhatia at the time, it had to feel like being knighted by royalty.

Mickelson took Bhatia under his wing, especially at Augusta. They’d do pre-tournament trips together. Phil would walk him through the course, pointing out strategic dos and don’ts. And for a while, Bhatia tried to mold his game in the 54-year-old’s image. “I would go with Phil Mickelson a lot,” Bhatia said on the podcast, reflecting on those early Masters recon trips. “We would go do these pre-trips, and he would walk me around the course and tell me where you can’t hit. So, like, for example, you can’t miss it left on one.”

Mickelson’s game, Bhatia explained, was all about navigating danger. “The way he played was, ‘I can’t hit it here, I can’t miss it there, I have to hit it over here,’ and that’s not really how I play.” And here’s where Bhatia drops the hammer: “I played my first five, six, seven years playing with that sort of mentality, and it really hurt me,” he said, voice steady but unmistakably reflective. “You have to learn how to go about your career in the best way that’s for you.” Let that sink in. One of the most hyped young talents in golf is saying that for the better part of a decade, he played a version of the game that wasn’t really his—all because he was trying to live up to the expectations—or maybe even the style—of one of the all-time greats.

Bhatia continued: “When I start looking at these holes and going, ‘Yeah, if I hit it left, that’s a bogey or worse,’ I end up hitting it over there.” That’s golf psychology 101: fear-based thinking leading to exactly what you’re trying to avoid. And in Mickelson’s world—high-risk, high-reward, every shot a chess move—it works. But in Bhatia’s world? Not so much. “For me,” he said, “learning to play this course the way you need to play it is important.” That simple sentence might be the most powerful part of the entire interview.

What we’re seeing now—after wins, after setbacks, after a self-inflicted detour through someone else’s vision—is a player who’s not just talented, but finally in control of his own game. Akshay Bhatia is done trying to be someone else’s version of great. He’s forging his own. And based on what we saw at Valero and glimpses at Augusta, is this version of Bhatia? He’s just getting started!

Akshay Bhatia in the hunt at Harbour Town

Just days after Rory McIlroy completed his long-awaited career Grand Slam at the 89th Masters, the PGA Tour rolls into Hilton Head Island for the 2025 RBC Heritage—South Carolina’s only Signature Event, and a prized plaid jacket on the line. All eyes may be on Scottie Scheffler, who’s looking to defend his title at Harbour Town after a solid T4 showing at Augusta, but don’t sleep on Akshay Bhatia.

Fresh off an impressive showing at the Masters and still riding high from his recent win in Texas, he is keeping himself well in the mix through two rounds at the RBC Heritage. After an opening-round 68 had him tied for 21st, Bhatia cooled off slightly on Friday, posting an even-par 71 to move to 3-under for the tournament and slip to T27. Still, the 22-year-old continues to flash the same confident ball-striking and swagger that’s made him one of the Tour’s rising threats.

Justin Thomas leads the pack at 10-under after two steady rounds, while Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler remain hot on his heels at 7-under. The leaderboard is tight, the scoring is low, and the stage is set for a thrilling weekend at Harbour Town. But if Bhatia continues trending the way he has, we could be looking at yet another strong finish—or even a Sunday charge—from one of the game’s fastest-rising stars. Harbour Town is tight, strategic, and demands precision—right up Bhatia’s alley now that he’s playing his way, not anyone else’s. Keep your eyes peeled!