Explained: Akshay Bhatia's bizarre golf rules scenario during round one of Travelers Championship

Multiple PGA Tour winner Akshay Bhatia was at the centre of a bizarre scene during round one of the Travelers Championship. 

The 24-year-old, who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, found himself hitting off an artificial mat with his approach to the 15th hole. 

But why was it there and why did he get a drop?

Let GolfMagic explain...

What happened?

Bhatia was flying along during Thursday's opening round at the final signature event of the season. 

Arriving at the driveable par-four 15th, Bhatia found himself at five-under and was likely eyeing up another circle on his card. 

He opted to hit driver off the tee but carved his golf ball some 247 yards towards left towards the 16th tee box.

Bhatia's ball stopped on dry land but the only problem was he was stuck behind the tee's back sponsor board. 

As is standard, he was permitted a free drop. 

Golf rules expert Mark Dusbabek was on hand during the CBS broadcast to explain the situation. 

"When you have a Temporary Immovable Obstruction, when you're within one club length on your equidistant arc from that TIO - which is the tee back sign - then you have two options," he said. 

"You can take line of sight, which is nearest point of relief and it's one club length and it's drop in the second club length.

"Otherwise, you can take - just like dropping from an obstruction - nearest point of relief and one club length, which got him to this tee pad here. That's a separate obstruction, and he chose to play from there."

Watch here:

Why was the mat there?

It was placed there for the annual 15 ½ Challenge which took place during Wednesday's pro-am. 

Players, caddies and their amateur partners hit from the mat towards the 40-foot Travelers Championship logo on the lake.

The player who hits their shot closest to the flag gets $10,000 donated to a charity of their choice by Travelers. 

Bhatia was ultimately unable to find the birdie on the 15th hole. 

The American made par on 16, 17 and dropped a shot at the 18th to sit outside of the top 10. 

Eric Cole had the lead, with Scottie Scheffler in hot pursuit.