[Winners Club] 'Masters Last Train' Batia 'The Power of Callaway Apex'

Wire-to-Wire Victory at Texas Open
Second Career Win, Last Masters Ticket Holder
Top Green Hit Rate 75.34% After Beating Callaway

Akshay Bhatia (USA) made a splash.

Akshay Bhatia is making an iron shot on the 18th hole of the 4th round at the Texas Open in ballet style. [San Antonio (USA) = AFP·Yonhap News]

On the 7th (local time), at the TPC San Antonio Oaks Course (Par 72, 7,438 yards) in San Antonio, Texas, USA, he won the Valero Texas Open (total prize money $9.2 million) on the PGA Tour in a playoff. He maintained the lead wire-to-wire over four days, finishing at 20-under-par 268. This was the first wire-to-wire victory in the tournament's 30-year history. This is Bhatia's second career win since the Barracuda Championship last July, earning a winner's prize of $1,656,000 (approximately 2.24 billion KRW).

Most importantly, he enjoyed the joy of qualifying for the prestigious Masters Tournament starting on the 11th. This is his first appearance at the Masters. The Barracuda Championship was considered a 'B-level event' and did not grant Masters invitations. In this tournament, he showed flawless play. His average driving distance was 317.10 yards (8th), scrambling ability was 77.78% (8th), and putts per green in regulation were 1.58 (6th), all outstanding.

Above all, his greens in regulation rate was exceptional at 75.34%, ranking 1st. He created numerous birdie opportunities. Bhatia uses Callaway equipment. His irons are Callaway X Forged UT (21 degrees) and Callaway Apex TCB Low (#5-PW). His wedges are Callaway Jaws Low (50, 54, 60 degrees).

Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS (9 degrees)

Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (15 degrees)

Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW Prototype (19 degrees)

Irons: Callaway X Forged UT (21 degrees), Callaway Apex TCB Low (#5-PW)

Wedges: Callaway Jaws Low (50, 54, 60 degrees)

Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380

Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour **Provided by PGA Tour