"the development we can accomplish for people over there is really cool.”
Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala hope their Masters starts can have a positive impact on golf in India.
The golfers, whose families both moved to the United States from India, are among 89 players set to begin play on April 11, 2024, at Augusta National.
Coming off a PGA Texas Open win, Bhatia said:
“I don’t know if I quite realise what Sahith and I can do for the golf in India.
“I know it’s really special when I have a bunch of fans looking up to me, a bunch of kids coming up to me.
“I think it’s awesome just being able to grow the game not just in the States, but in India.
“It’s special to us, what we can do for golf there is, I think, awesome, and the development we can accomplish for people over there is really cool.”
Theegala was equally excited at the Indian support during the Houston Open in March 2024.
He said: “You feel prideful. It’s really cool.
“In Houston, a bunch of young Indian kids came out and followed, and my parents were there and they were just encouraging them.
“Probably for a few of the first times, a couple of Indian kids came up and said they’re playing golf because of me.
“It’s pretty crazy to hear that. But it’s cool and hopefully, I can keep being an inspiration.”
Bhatia’s title win earned him the final spot in the Masters, causing some last-minute changes in plans.
He is the first player to reach the finals of the junior Drive, Chip and Putt competition at Augusta National – which he did in the 2014 inaugural edition – and also qualify for the Masters.
He said: “Just an unreal moment for me.
“Just the presence of this place is spectacular and I’m excited to be here as a participant.
“That first time at the Drive, Chip and Putt is pretty surreal as a kid.
“You just don’t realise how lucky we are to have that opportunity. For everyone to be so gracious to let some kids hit some golf balls on the range, hit some putts on the 18th green, it was unreal.”
But during his Texas Open victory, Bhatia injured his left shoulder.
While it was popped back into place quickly, the shoulder is still a concern as he prepares for his Masters debut and only his second major start, after a share of 57th at the 2021 US Open.
He stated:
“The shoulder is going to be a work in progress, for sure.”
“I’ve had it happen two, three times. I had a full dislocation playing pickleball a couple years ago and subluxed in Bermuda in 2021.
“So it’s nothing new to me. It’s a weird experience because I had so much adrenaline so I had no pain in that play-off.
“But it’s definitely something we’re going to have to work towards, and I have a lot of trust in my team that we can tee it up on Thursday.”
Akshay Bhatia was planning on physio work and rest after seven weeks in a row of playing.
He said: “It’s a lot of golf, but I also have a tonne of adrenaline so it kind of balances out.
“I’m hoping my shoulder should be good, but I might be a little scared to hit some shots. We’ve just got to find out.”
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