Akshay Bhatia’s Indian Gamble: A Risky Masters Prep That Might Just Work

There’s a specific kind of courage it takes to board a plane to India just three weeks before The Masters. It’s not the courage of a player who’s uncertain about his game—it’s the courage of someone confident enough to trust his instincts over the conventional wisdom of the tour.

That’s exactly what Akshay Bhatia did when he opted to play in the Hero Indian Open at DLF Golf & Country Club in Delhi instead of sticking with the tried-and-true Texas warm-up circuit that’s been the pre-Augusta blueprint for decades. And after watching his opening round unfold—a chaotic front nine followed by a gutsy back nine comeback—I’m genuinely intrigued by what this calculated risk might tell us about both the player and the state of modern Masters preparation.

When Good Players Have Bad Starts

Let me be direct: Akshay’s opening 77 was ugly. Out of bounds on his first hole, hitting the wrong ball, a triple bogey at the 15th—that’s the kind of scorecard that makes you question a player’s decision-making. I’ve seen plenty of talented golfers unravel under those circumstances, especially traveling halfway around the world just weeks before the biggest tournament of their season.

But here’s what struck me watching this unfold: Bhatia didn’t pack it in. Instead, he shot three-under on his back nine—a flawless 33 that included three birdies.

“Tough day, hit the wrong ball, which was very unfortunate. Just did not play good on the first nine but shot three under on my back side was great. This golf course is hard so if I can just try and get it back to even par it’ll be a nice comeback for me. I’ll never give up and that’ll be the goal.”

That’s not just damage control. That’s a player with genuine mental toughness stepping up when things got sideways. In my 35 years covering this tour—and particularly during my time caddying for Tom Lehman—I’ve learned that how players respond to adversity tells you far more than how they play when everything’s clicking. Bhatia’s recovery suggests his Masters preparation might be back on track regardless of how Friday plays out.

Three birdies on the back-nine puts Akshay Bhatia in good spirits despite having a challenging start to his DLF Golf & Country Club debut.

The Unconventional Path to Augusta

What intrigues me most about this decision is what it reveals about Bhatia’s confidence level heading into Masters week. The traditional wisdom—and it exists for a reason—is that players should prepare for Augusta at Tour events in similar conditions. You play Valero Texas Open, you play Corales Championship, you play courses that resemble what you’ll face at Augusta. It’s predictable. It’s safe.

Bhatia threw that playbook out the window. Yes, his parents are from Delhi and DLF Golf & Country Club has family significance. That emotional connection matters. But let’s not kid ourselves—he also chose a brutally difficult golf course that will test every aspect of his game in ways that Texas events simply can’t.

“Glad I didn’t shoot 80”

was how Bhatia summed up his day with characteristic dry humor. That comment actually tells you something important: he’s aware this course is punishing, he knows he could have capitulated, and he’s satisfied with his mental resilience.

In my experience, when a top-20 player in the world chooses a harder road for preparation, it usually means one of two things. Either he’s working through something technical that needs iron-sharpening-iron competition, or his confidence is so solid that he’s comfortable taking calculated risks. Given Bhatia’s 2026 resume, I’m betting on the latter.

The Form That Justifies the Risk

Let’s not overlook the elephant in the room: Akshay Bhatia is playing exceptional golf right now. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in a playoff against Daniel Berger—that’s not a fluke victory. That’s a statement. The Arnold Palmer Invitational is a prestigious event on a demanding golf course, and beating Berger in sudden death is the kind of credential that matters when you’re talking about Masters contenders.

Even more impressive was the short game data that came with that victory. Bhatia posted a record +16.3 strokes gained for his short game—the best figure since ShotLink started tracking that metric. For context, that’s the kind of number you see from the absolute elite wedge players and putters on tour. That’s what wins majors.

His season trajectory tells the real story:

• Two missed cuts to start 2026
• Win at Arnold Palmer Invitational
• Third-place finish
• Multiple top-20 results

That’s a player who found something fundamental in his game and has been riding it successfully. He’s among the legitimate Green Jacket contenders this year, which means taking a chance on unconventional prep isn’t reckless—it’s the move of someone who trusts what he’s built.

The Left-Handed Factor

One detail worth mentioning: left-handers historically perform well at Augusta National, and Bhatia has at least made the cut in both of his previous Masters attempts. He hasn’t yet won a major championship, but he’s shown he can navigate Magnolia Lane competently. The geometry of a left-handed swing against Augusta’s slopes and contours is genuinely advantageous.

What Matters Now

Bhatia needs to play all four rounds in India. That’s not just some feel-good statement—it’s practical. Getting four competitive rounds on a tough course away from the PGA Tour pressure cooker could be the perfect final tune-up before Augusta. He’ll learn how his game responds to adversity over an extended period. He’ll build confidence in his problem-solving abilities.

“This golf course is hard so if I can just try and get it back to even par it’ll be a nice comeback for me…I’ll never give up and that’ll be the goal.”

That’s a player with the right mindset. After three decades covering this tour, I’ve seen plenty of talented golfers fail at Augusta because they couldn’t handle the mental grind when things got difficult. Bhatia’s willingness to travel to India, face a punishing course, and respond with poise when the day started falling apart—that’s the exact temperament you need in Georgia.

Is his India trip a risk? Absolutely. But it’s the kind of risk that separates players who are genuinely prepared for major championship golf from those who are just hoping things work out.

Three weeks until we find out if Bhatia’s gamble pays off.