"I Feel Like I've Made It": Golfer Akshay Bhatia's Rise Through the Ranks
The two-time PGA TOUR winner discusses Arnold Palmer’s legacy, his Mastercard relationship and fan interaction.
Akshay Bhatia just got off the golf course where he struggled to break 80, and it’s going to be a hell of a fight just to make the cut the next day. Not too many golfers would be in the mood to perform media obligations in such a scenario, but the 23-year-old’s perspective on the game is a breath of fresh air. He’s making his first-ever appearance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. And as it so happens, it’s also his debut bout in the ring as a Mastercard ambassador. “I feel like I’ve made it,” is Bhatia’s reaction to seeing his face displayed on tournament billboards around the course. It’s a justified sentiment given his world number 30 ranking and two TOUR victories in the same number of full seasons.
But this week isn’t about Akshay, and he knows that. It’s about honoring the legacy of a great champion and an even better role model: Arnold Palmer. In a day and age where conversations on social media shape the narrative around beloved sporting idols, examining the legacy of Mr. Palmer (as he’s fondly referred to by today’s players) feels especially relevant. Arnie lived in a time when documenting every minutiae of one’s day was simply not possible, yet he forged such a strong connection with his fans that may never be equaled.
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Relating the 1950s to the present day is akin to comparing apples and oranges. The wider point is that in today’s digital landscape of media-savvy professional golfers and golfing-savvy content creators, Bhatia, born more than 70 years after Palmer, is keenly aware of The King’s lasting influence. He’s being interviewed by us in the Mastercard Creator Studio, a space that the credit card company curated to connect its ambassadors like Curtis Strange, Annika Sorenstam and Bhatia with online voices such as Matthew Haag, Carlee Shoemaker and Tyler Webb. And yet, he speaks with a grounded appreciation for what he’s achieved and those who came before him to create the opportunity to compete for millions.
Trying to match Palmer’s competitive accomplishments may be a fool’s errand, but it feels as if the young professional (who has already won twice on the PGA TOUR) is doing his small part to build on Arnie’s legacy. That is, competing at a very high level, taking the time to connect with fans and media, and doing it all with a ton of humility, grace and perspective.
This is your first appearance with Mastercard and your first time playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational. So what is it like to see the presence that they have here knowing that you represent the brand?
It’s amazing. Obviously this tournament is so iconic and to be an ambassador for Mastercard is really cool. And for them to sponsor such an amazing event that’s been around for such a long time and really carries on Arnold Palmer’s legacy, it’s really cool. It’s the first time I’ve really had a partner like this where I see my face on some of the grandstands. So I’m really excited for the relationship that we will build.
What’s your reaction when you see your face on those grandstands?
I feel like I’ve made it, honestly. No, I think it’s just really cool to have more exposure through such a great partnership. And so I look forward to hopefully coming back here for a long time and representing Mastercard really well. And it’d be really cool to win this event one day.
Do you feel like the way that you made it through mini tours, the Korn Ferry Tour and really earned your place here gives you a stronger appreciation for your successes so far?
Yeah, I mean, it obviously makes me the person I am today, grinding all the time and just taking it step by step. This game can come at you really fast. It took me a little bit of time, but now it feels like a light year since I won my first mini tour event. So it’s always fun to continue to learn and build and to look back and see where I’m at today versus a couple years ago.
“I’m kind of an extrovert…I feed off of people’s energy and support.”
You mentioned the legacy of Arnold Palmer. Did you get to meet him?
No, I was too young to honestly really know him. But obviously I watched him tee up at Augusta every year hitting the opening tee shots. And being from Wake Forest, North Carolina, there’s a statue in the town and I played the golf course he grew up playing a handful of times. It’s just an old municipal kind of course with crabgrass greens, but it’s so different and so fun. He had a lot of swag and a presence to him that I think a lot of people don’t realize now. But he had a big impact on the game of golf.
We’re sitting here in this Mastercard Creator Studio. Have you ever seen something like this at a PGA TOUR event?
Not really. I mean, this is really cool. It feels like I’m doing the Weather Channel or something. But, yeah it’s a pretty cool setup. I mean I love creating content and I enjoy the social media side. It’s a big part of my life. And so anytime I get a chance to show everyone who I am or things that people want to know is a big win.
Do you think of it as a responsibility or a privilege that people want to know you better? How do you build your following while prioritizing your game?
You have to find balance. But, you know, I just really enjoy it. I love interacting with people. I’m kind of an extrovert, I guess. I feed off of people’s energy and support, so I just enjoy it. I enjoy making kids smile. People wait all day for me so I try my best to give back. I’m very fortunate for the platform I have, and hopefully it can continue to build.
