Akshay Bhatia wins thrilling Valero Texas Open, secures spot in Masters

The 22-year-old lefty Akshay Bhatia withheld a jaw-dropping late run by Denny McCarthy to win the Valero Texas Open in a sudden-death playoff and play his way into next week’s Masters.
Bhatia nearly ran away with the tournament, holding a six-shot lead entering the 10th hole before McCarthy birdied eight of the final nine holes — including seven straight to finish — to reach 20-under par and put the pressure on Bhatia. Bhatia then made his 11-foot birdie putt to force a playoff. He birdied the first playoff hole while McCarthy double-bogeyed, sealing his second career PGA Tour win.

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