Akshay Bhatia WDs from Valspar Championship

Field Level Media|published: Wed 18th March, 13:12 2026

Mar 8, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Akshay Bhatia celebrates his win on the 18th green after a playoff victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Akshay Bhatia withdrew from the 2026 Valspar Championship on Wednesday, hours after he helped Jupiter Links Golf Club to a victory over Boston Common Golf in the semifinals of the TGL playoffs.

PGA Tour Communications did not announce a reason for Bhatia's withdrawal for the tournament at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla. The Tour, however, did announce that Sam Ryder will take his place.

Bhatia, who is No. 22 in the Official World Golf Ranking, is two weeks removed from recording his third PGA Tour victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He overcame a five-stroke deficit to defeat Daniel Berger in a playoff.

Bhatia, 24, followed that up with tie for 13th at the Players Championship this past week at TPC Sawgrass.

--Field Level Media

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