PGA Tour Rising Star Pulls Out of Valspar Championship Amid $1M Payout
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The PLAYERS Championship concluded on Monday, with Rory McIlroy besting JJ Spaun in a three-hole playoff. They finished two shots clear of a host of golfers during the final round, including PGA Tour rising star Akshay Bhatia.
The day after finishing T3 at the Players and earning more than $1 million, Bhatia announced he is withdrawing from this week’s Valspar Championship, scheduled for March 20-23.
Bhatia, the 23-year-old golfer, withdrew from the $8.7 million event after Rory McIlroy’s stunning performance at TPC Sawgrass. Unfortunately, the reason behind Bhatia’s withdrawal has not been disclosed.
But this isn’t Bhatia’s first withdrawal, as he also pulled out of the Farmers Insurance Open 2025 in February as well. However, that was after playing his opening round.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Akshay Bhatia of the United States plays his shot from the second tee during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass… PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Akshay Bhatia of the United States plays his shot from the second tee during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 16, 2025 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Tilton/Getty Images
Bhatia has already played his way into Augusta National. So, one must wonder whether fatigue was a factor in his decision.
Had Bhatia played this week, he will have competed in eight of 10 tournaments leading into the Masters.
Not to mention, his success at The PLAYERS vaulted him to 21st in the Official World Golf Rankings and 16th in the FedEx Cup standings.
To be candid, does not need to participate nearly as much now.
Looking back at his performance at the Valspar last year, he carded a total of 4-under par, 8 strokes behind the winner, Peter Malnati. Since then, the 23-year-old has shown significant improvement.
The pro will be replaced by Alejandro Tosti, who made a hole-in-one at the 17th hole and became an entertainment sensation at the TPC Sawgrass.
The PGA Tour pro had just signed a million-dollar paycheck at the Players Championship on Sunday, finishing with four birdies and three bogeys in the final round of the ‘fifth major.’
He is expected to be in San Antonio for the Valero Texas Open to defend the title he won last year. That will lead into Augusta National.
What do you think? What happened to Akshay Bhatia? Let us know in the comment section below!
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