Akshay Bhatia clinches Texas Open after separating shoulder celebrating clutch putt
Akshay Bhatia held his nerve in a playoff to claim his second PGA Tour victory at the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio.
Valero Texas Open final leaderboard:
A. Bhatia, D. McCarthy -20, R. McIlroy -11, R. Henley -10, A. Schenk, B. Todd -9, H. Matsuyama, B. Martin, T. Fleetwood -8
Selected others:
J. Spieth, M. Fitzpatrick -6, L. Aberg -5
Akshay Bhatia held his nerve in bizarre circumstances to claim the Valero Texas Open in a playoff over Denny McCarthy.
The 22-year-old began the day with a four-stroke lead at TPC San Antonio and at one point that margin stretched to five.
But out of absolutely nowhere McCarthy birdied 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 to reach 20-under.
Bhatia kept his focus on the 72nd hole, holing an 11ft putt for birdie to force the playoff after matching McCarthy's score.
As he celebrated jarring the putt, his left shoulder reportedly came out of its socket slightly.
During the playoff, Bhatia hit his tee shot and his lay-up into the par-5 18th before calling for medical assistance.
His shoulder was taped up quickly and Bhatia managed to stick his approach close.
Meanwhile, McCarthy inexplicably found the water with his approach to put an end to his chances.
"Wish I could have had that wedge shot back there," a dejected McCarthy told reporters.
"I backed off a couple times. There was a bug on my ball and some noise in the stands and a bug jumped back on my ball.
"I probably should have backed away again, but I thought I could kind of not let it distract me and maybe it did a little.
"Maybe a learning experience for me, but all in all I handled myself really well today."
Bhatia duly sank his birdie putt and was joined on the green by his girlfriend Presleigh Shultz.
The victory, his second on the PGA Tour, means the talented left-hander has also been invited to the forthcoming Masters.
"So this shoulder I've had some issues with," Bhatia told reporters.
"When I made that putt and I kind of raised my arm, it kind of came out of socket and went back in.
"Thankfully he was still around and taped it up good and it felt good hitting that wedge shot."
He added: "Denny played unbelievable. You've got to give him credit.
"It's hard because he's one of the best putters out here and when you see him get hot, it's scary because I had a six-shot lead going into the back nine and all of a sudden we're tied going into 18.
"Of course he makes that putt and man, what a crazy day."
Elsehwere, world number two Rory McIlroy posted a bogey-free 6-under 66 to finish solo third.
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