SportBeep.com
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Combat sports
    • Cricket
    • Figure Skating
    • Racing
    • Skiing
    • Swimming
    • Rugby
No Result
View All Result
SportBeep.com
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
Home Golf

Masters starters Bhatia, Theegala hope to boost India golf

Vital Lawrence by Vital Lawrence
April 8, 2024
in Golf
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
0
16
SHARES
206
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Akshay Bhatia won the PGA Texas Open to qualify for the Masters, but a sore left shoulder could hamper his debut at Augusta National. ©AFP

Augusta (United States) (AFP) – Indian-American golfers Akshay Bhatia, coming off a PGA Texas Open triumph, and Sahith Theegala, who won his first PGA title last September, hope their Masters starts can boost India golf.

The 20-something Californians, whose families both emigrated to the United States from India, are among 89 players set to begin play Thursday at Augusta National.

Related news

Burns fires 65 to grab US Open lead as big names stumble

June 13, 2025
221

Boutier, Ciganda among four-way tie for lead at Meijer LPGA Classic

June 13, 2025
228

Scott’s ‘old-man par golf’ has him in the hunt at US Open

June 13, 2025
205

Spaun seizes US Open lead as Scheffler, McIlroy struggle

June 13, 2025
566

France’s Perez aces par-3 sixth hole at US Open

June 13, 2025
488

Koepka gets Oakmont scolding and leaps into US Open title hunt

June 13, 2025
335

“I don’t know if I quite realize what Sahith and I can do for the golf in India,” Bhatia said Monday.

“I know it’s really special when I have a bunch of fans looking up to me, a bunch of kids coming up to me.

“I think it’s awesome just being able to grow the game just not in the States, but in India. It’s special to us, what we can do for golf there is I think awesome, and the development we can accomplish for people over there is really cool.”

Theegala was excited at Indian support at the Houston Open last month.

“You feel prideful. It’s really cool,” he said.

“In Houston a bunch of young Indian kids came out and followed and my parents were there and they were just encouraging them.

“Probably for a few of the first times, a couple Indian kids came up and said they’re playing golf because of me. It’s pretty crazy to hear that. But it’s cool and hopefully I can keep being an inspiration.”

Bhatia’s wire-to-wire Texas Open title last week earned him the final spot in this week’s Masters field, causing some last-minute changes in plans.

The 22-year-old American is the first player to reach the finals of the junior Drive, Chip and Putt competition at Augusta National, which he did in the 2014 inaugural edition, and qualify for the Masters.

“Just unreal moment for me,” Bhatia said.

“Just the presence of this place is spectacular and I’m excited to be here as a participant.

“That first time at the Drive, Chip & Putt is pretty surreal as a kid. You just don’t realize how lucky we are to have that opportunity.

“For everyone to be so gracious to let some kids hit some golf balls on the range, hit some putts on the 18th green, it was unreal.”

Bhatia injured his left shoulder late in his victory Sunday in San Antonio, popping the shoulder out of place with a vigorous fist pump after sinking a long putt to force a playoff.

While it was popped back into place quickly, the shoulder remains a source of concern as he prepares for his Masters debut and only his second major start after a share of 57th at the 2021 US Open.

“The shoulder is going to be a work in progress, for sure,” Bhatia said.

“I’ve had it happen two, three times. I had a full dislocation playing pickleball a couple years ago and subluxed in Bermuda in 2021.

“So it’s nothing new to me. It’s a weird experience because I had so much adrenaline so I had no pain in that playoff.

“But it’s definitely something we’re going to have to work towards, and I have a lot of trust in my team that we can tee it up on Thursday.”

Bhatia was planning on physio work and rest after seven weeks in a row of playing.

“It’s a lot of golf, but I also have a ton of adrenaline so it kind of balances out,” he said.

“I’m hoping my shoulder should be good, but I might be a little scared to hit some shots. We just got to find out.”

© 2024 AFP

Tags: GolfIndia golfIndian-American golfersMastersPGA
Share6Tweet4Share
Vital Lawrence

Vital Lawrence

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Follow Us

Popular News

  • ‘Suck it up’ – SGA says fatigue can’t be a factor in NBA Finals

    22 shares
    Share 9 Tweet 6
  • Rahm warns to expect ‘a lot of unfortunate things’ at US Open

    53 shares
    Share 21 Tweet 13
  • Sovereignty reigns over Journalism again in Belmont

    30 shares
    Share 12 Tweet 8
  • Lawrence grabs US Open lead with birdie binge as Burns fires 65

    16 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • No.1 Scheffler, four-over, says don’t count him out at US Open

    19 shares
    Share 8 Tweet 5
SportBeep.com

Welcome to SportBeep, your ultimate destination for all things sports! If you're passionate about the NFL, NBA, MLS, NHL, MLB, or any other sport, you're in the right place. Here, you'll find the latest news, in-depth analyses, and commentary on the most important sporting events and personalities from around the world.

Pages

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

News

  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Soccer
  • Hockey
  • Tennis
  • Golf

Network

  • Coolinarco.com
  • CasualSelf.com
  • Fit.CasualSelf.com
  • Sport.CasualSelf.com
  • MachinaSphere.com
  • EconomyLens.com
  • MagnifyPost.com
  • TodayAiNews.com
  • VideosArena.com

© 2024 SportBeep ~ Top Sports News from around the world!

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Combat sports
    • Cricket
    • Figure Skating
    • Racing
    • Skiing
    • Swimming
    • Rugby

© 2024 SportBeep.com - Best Sport News