Akshay Bhatia finishes T-3 at WM Phoenix Open

Akshay Bhatia closed with a steady 4-under 68 to finish tied third at the WM Phoenix Open, marking his best result of the season and a timely turnaround ahead of the PGA TOUR’s Signature Event stretch.

Sahith Theegala endured a tougher Sunday, carding a 70 that included a bogey on the closing hole to finish tied 18th — a result that initially appeared to cost him entry into the next two $20 million Signature Events.

Relief followed later in the day for Theegala, who received a sponsor exemption into the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The exemption ensures his strong early-season form — highlighted by two top-10s and two other top-20 finishes in his last four starts — carries into Pebble Beach, even though he missed automatic qualification for both limited-field events.

At the top of the leaderboard, Chris Gotterup produced a dramatic late charge, birdieing five of his final six holes for a closing 7-under 64 to reach 16-under and force a playoff with Hideki Matsuyama. Matsuyama bogeyed the 72nd hole to slip into extra holes after holding a one-shot lead.

The playoff ended quickly. Gotterup capitalised after Matsuyama again ran into trouble off the tee on the 18th, rolling in a 27-foot birdie putt to seal his second win of the 2026 season and the fourth of his PGA TOUR career.

Bhatia’s tied-third finish came after back-to-back missed cuts and was built on patience and control. He signed for five birdies against a lone bogey in the final round, staying largely under the radar while climbing into contention on a demanding TPC Scottsdale setup.

Another Indian-origin player in the field, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, closed with a 73 to finish tied 54th.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler mounted a late push after an opening-round 73, extending his PGA TOUR-leading cuts streak to 66 and briefly moving within one of the lead late on Sunday before falling short.

With Phoenix complete, Bhatia carries renewed confidence into the season’s biggest events, while Theegala leaves with form intact — and a crucial start secured at Pebble Beach.

Photo – PGA Tour