PGA Tour golfer, 24, responds to "cheating" accusations from armchair critics

PGA Tour golfer Akshay Bhatia has responded to allegations from armchair critics that his putting stroke is against the rules. 

The 24-year-old has been in superb form this week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and is tied for the lead after 36 holes. 

Two-time PGA Tour winner Bhatia is currently on 15-under par alongside in-form Japanese pro Ryo Hisatsune, nine strokes clear of the top-ranked Scottie Scheffler. 

Bhatia is yet to drop a shot and has been extremely productive on the greens, making 13 birdies and one eagle across Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach. 

According to the PGA Tour's statistics, Bhatia has rolled in 65' 7" of putts this week. He also leads the field in strokes gained overall. 

But some on social media have suggested the youngster is "anchoring" his Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 broomstick putter.

This is in the clip in question:

It sparked a wide-ranging debate on X as to whether his right hand was attached to his chest. 

"Yes," one wrote on X. "And a two-stroke penalty for the pants. Goof grief."

Another added: "It's anchoring. Disgraceful and sad to watch. Why is this allowed?"

This person said: "If the definition of anchoring is hand touching chest, then yes I would consider this anchoring."

@kawikadaudi wrote: "Sorry Akshay, but yes. Shouldn't be allowed. As the belly putters aren't allowed anymore and this is promoting the same anchoring method that was banned years ago with Keegan and Adam Scott having to change their putting method. 

"Nice try Akshay but yeah that should be deemed illegal."

Some defended Bhatia, suggesting the rules of golf should be changed unless there is clear data that shows anchoring gives an advantage. 

Bhatia clearly saw the posts and replied on Instagram: "Not anchoring. Literally two inches short of my chest haha."

He is not the first golfer to be accused of anchoring and certainly won't be the last. 

German legend Bernhard Langer frequently comes under fire for his putting stroke. 

The two-time major champion, now 68, has been repeatedly suspected by fans and analysts of effectively anchoring despite changing his technique to comply with the rule. 

Some critics feel there's no perceptible daylight" between his top hand and chest during his stroke, though rules officials have cleared him

Langer has always defended himself and told Golf Digest in 2017 that the cheating accusations hurt. 

"Personally I don't understand it because I'm a man of integrity and the last thing I want to do is break rules and be known as cheating or something," he said. 

Langer said he has called penalties on himself during his multi-decade career. 

"I'm certain that I am not anchoring the putter and that my putting stroke is not violating the rules of golf," he added. 

Golf's rule makers, the USGA and R&A, banned anchoring the putter in 2016 because they believed it changed the fundamental nature of the stroke.