Akshay Bhatia defending at Texas Open with Masters on his mind

When then-22-year-old Akshay Bhatia beat Denny McCarthy in a playoff to win the Valero Texas Open last year at TPC San Antonio, he got to do one of the most enjoyable things in the world of golf.

He got to board a flight to Augusta, Ga.

Bhatia's victory earned him the final spot available in the field at the Masters the following week, and he went on to tie for 35th.

"I played so great the whole week (in San Antonio)," Bhatia told reporters Tuesday ahead of his title Texas Open defense. "I honestly don't know how I did it, shooting 20 under, Denny and I, and I think third place was 11 under. You step on this property and you realize how hard this golf course is. Just such a whirlwind. Then going to Augusta the following night, just great memories. You know, I look forward to see if I can get back in that position this week."

Bhatia was the solo leader after each of the first three rounds last year before McCarthy caught up to him with a final-round 63. Bhatia won it with a birdie on the first playoff hole.

This time around, Bhatia hasn't really thought about defending his title. He's already in the field for the 2025 Masters, and this week is more about rounding into form for the year's first major.

"You know, I checked into the hotel and someone asked me, he said, 'How ya feeling this week?'" Bhatia said. "I said, 'Yeah, it's nice to be back.' He's like, 'So, but how are you feeling? Are you nervous?' I mean, I haven't really thought about it.

"I feel like it's just another week. I have my mind really set on Augusta next week so it's a great week on this golf course to kind of learn where my game's at, what kind of shots I need to improve on for next week. It's a great golf course for that, very narrow, very tricky. It's obviously going to be windy here. I just kind of feel normal."

Bhatia added, "It's kind of a tune-up week, but it's also very cool to kind of go back to back. It's got a mix of both. Maybe I'll feel different on Thursday when I tee it up, but for now I'm just kind of focused of trying to get prepared for this week but also learn where I'm at for next week."

Bhatia is one of 25-plus players in the Texas Open field already invited to the Masters. If anyone else besides that group wins the title, he would qualify for Augusta and take the same trip Bhatia did a year ago.

"It's such a surreal feeling, you win here, all of a sudden you're on a plane straight to Augusta National," Bhatia said. "It's something you really got to kind of keep off your mind and try to play this golf tournament and see where you end up at the end of the week."

--Field Level Media