2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic: Top 10 power rankings at Detroit Golf Club

Akshay Bhatia is riding great form heading into the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

The wiry 22-year-old posted his third straight top-25 with a T-5th finish at last week’s Travelers Championship. Bhatia played himself into the final group on Sunday with Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler. While he couldn’t quite keep up with their pace, he still had a shot to win on the back nine.

It was the second straight day playing alongside Scheffler.

“I love it. This is what I dreamt about for awhile was trying to chase those feelings of feeling your heart pump and feeling your hands shake and all the adrenaline,” Bhatia was transcribed by ASAP Sports after Saturday at the Travelrs. “It's something that I love so much. When you don't get that, when you're in 30 or the 40th, it's hard to continue to play good golf, but with the crowd and with Scottie and I playing kind of right there with each other it was a lot of fun.”

Bhatia carded 64-65-64-69. The Californian was fifth in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting (4.565), seventh in driving accuracy (78.57%), and ninth in SG: Off-the-Tee (3.449).

Recent form also shows T-22nd at the Memorial Tournament and T-16th at the U.S. Open. His finish at Pinehurst No. 2 was his best career major championship result.

Bhatia is already a two-time PGA Tour winner after winning this year at the Valero Texas Open.

He ranks 13th on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Total (1.022). Bhatia is top-40 in all SG categories except for Around-the-Green.

This will be the former elite amateur’s second appearance at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Bhatia missed the cut last year despite shooting 2-under (73-69).

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