Akshay Bhatia is Taking Full Advantage of his Temporary PGA TOUR Membership

Korn Ferry Tour winner, Akshay Bhatia is looking to take advantage of the opportunity he has in 2023.

Just two weeks ago Bhatia put himself in position to be eligible for Special Temporary Membership to the PGA TOUR starting at the Valspar Championship this week. He powered through in the final round of the Puerto Rico Open to shoot 65 and finish in 2nd place just two shots off of the lead.

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The 2nd-place finish pushed the 21-year-old to earn PGA TOUR Special Temporary Membership. Akshay accepted the privilege to this membership Tuesday to participate in the Valspar Championship in which he carded a 1-under, 70 in the first round.

This places Bhatia in a solid position to make the cut come Friday. But what does the special membership grant him?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Akshay Bhatia (@akshaybhatia_1)

The Special Temporary Membership gives Bhatia the ability to accept unlimited sponsor exemptions throughout the remainder of the 2023 PGA Tour calendar, including the fall series. This is a huge opportunity since non-members are only permitted 7 sponsor exemptions in a single season.

Most notably Will Zalatoris did extremely well because of this same temporary membership, recording 14-top 25 finishes through his debut.p.

Despite Zalatoris’ great season in 2021 he did not earn a spot in the FedexCup playoffs because it is required the Special Temporary members win one event during the season to be eligible. 

PRESS RELEASE: Akshay Bhatia accepts PGA TOUR Special Temporary Membership pic.twitter.com/ooZ2GKCglx

— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) March 14, 2023

Now if Bhatia plays solid in his debut Special Temporary Membership season like Zalatoris did, and finish within the top 124 in FedExCup points, he also will earn his Tour card for 2024.  There are certainly a lot of opportunities for the bright young man.

Cover Image via Twitter