At an age when young men are thinking about their first car or going to college, the Wake Forest resident has left the amateur golf ranks and turned professional. Akshay Bhatia’s first event as a PGA pro will be the Sanderson Farms Championship held this week in Mississippi.

“That feeling when the time has officially come,” Bhatia wrote on Instagram. “A special thanks to everyone on my team that has helped me get here this week, especially my family for supporting me all the way. Let’s do this!”

Bhatia recently played in the U.S. Amateur held in Pinehurst, advancing to the Round of 32. Earlier this month, he competed in the Walker Cup as the first high schooler ever to do so. His 2 points contributed a win for the U.S.A. over the team from Great Britain and Ireland at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, England.  

Feature photo: Akshay Bhatia at the first tee of Pinehurst No. 2 during the 2019 U.S. Amateur. Bhatia made it to the Round of 32 before being eliminated by eventual runner up John Augenstein. 

~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Sports Reporter/Photographer John Patota.

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