Bhatia birdies final 2 holes for a 4-shot lead in Texas Open
Akshay Bhatia is one round away from going to the Masters
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Akshay Bhatia wrote a reminder on his wrist Saturday before the third round of the Valero Texas Open to “Race My Race.” The idea was to not worry about anything but his own golf, and that gave the rest of the field plenty to worry about.
Bhatia birdied his last two holes at the TPC San Antonio for a 4-under 68, taking a four-shot lead over Denny McCarthy into the final round as he tries to get the last spot in the Masters.
McCarthy was the only player who managed to stay close to the 22-year-old Bhatia, and his three birdies in a four-hole stretch in the middle of the back nine enabled him to cut the lead to two shots. He closed with three pars for a 67.
Bhatia hit a perfect drive on the reachable par-4 17th to just short of the green, which featured a front pin. His pitch wasn't anything special, but he holed a 12-foot putt. On the closing par 5, he laid up and hit wedge to a back pin to just inside 10 feet and made the birdie putt.
