Akshay Bhatia snubs LIV gold rush to join Tiger Woods' inner circle

Akshay Bhatia has sent a loud and unmistakable message to LIV Golf — and it’s one Phil Mickelson won’t want to hear.

Within hours of Golf Channel reporting that the rising PGA Tour star had turned down a lucrative offer to join Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, Bhatia was already putting pen to paper elsewhere.

And not just anywhere.

The 23-year-old left-hander instead aligned himself with Tiger Woods, agreeing to join Jupiter Links GC as an alternate for the new TGL season — a move that speaks volumes about where his loyalties lie.

The high-tech league is already underway, and Bhatia will now be on call to step in when needed for Woods’ star-studded lineup, which also features Max Homa, Kevin Kisner and Tom Kim.

According to multiple reports, Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC made a serious push for Bhatia, with big money on the table. But the young American didn’t hesitate.

Just hours later, Woods’ franchise made it official.

“Meet our official alternate and Jupiter local,” Jupiter Links GC posted on Instagram. “Let’s give @akshay a warm Jup Crew welcome!”

Bhatia, a two-time PGA Tour winner, has quietly become one of the most reliable young players in the game, reaching the Tour Championship at East Lake in back-to-back seasons — no small feat in today’s cut-throat landscape.

He ended 2025 ranked 46th in the Official World Golf Rankings, shortly before marrying wife Presleigh — and firmly on LIV Golf’s radar.

But even with a sizeable payday dangling in front of him, Bhatia refused to budge.

His stance mirrors that of Si Woo Kim, who recently revealed he had also rejected LIV Golf interest despite being targeted for a move to Iron Heads GC, opting instead to remain on the PGA Tour.

LIV Golf still missing the stars

While LIV Golf continues to bolster its numbers ahead of the 2026 season, it is still failing where it matters most — landing true marquee names.

Victor Perez and Laurie Canter signed late in 2025, while Elvis Smylie and Thomas Detry are confirmed arrivals for 2026. More additions are expected via LIV Golf Promotions this week.

But superstar PGA Tour talent?

That cupboard remains bare.

According to Golf Channel, LIV Golf is finding it increasingly difficult to pry established stars away from the PGA Tour — and Bhatia is the latest high-profile “no.”

Jon Rahm remains LIV Golf’s last blockbuster signing, joining in December 2023 on a deal widely reported to be worth around $300 million. Since then, the mega-moves have dried up.

Missing out on Bhatia is another blow at a sensitive time for the league, coming just weeks after Brooks Koepka “amicably” split with LIV Golf.

Koepka became the first major name to walk away from the league, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. 

Despite his PGA Tour suspension, the five-time major champion is expected to play a limited 2026 schedule centred around the majors, with occasional DP World Tour starts — as he did in 2025.

With LIV Golf’s new season set to begin next month in Saudi Arabia, the league may be adding players — but its hunt for genuine star power is proving tougher than ever.

And Akshay Bhatia’s decision to choose Tiger over Phil only underlines that struggle.