Akshay Bhatia Keeps It Real About Ryder Cup Hopes While Co-Leading 3M Open

Newsweek

9 hours ago

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The Ryder Cup is on everyone's mind in the golf world, including the players. That includes Akshay Bhatia, who recently revealed that he had been putting pressure on himself to make the team all season and it has affected his results.
Bhatia is co-leading the 3M Open after 54 holes. However, he remains grounded about his slim chances of making the 12 at Bethpage Black under Keegan Bradley.
"I think I'm on the far outside looking in at this point," Bathia told reporters, according to the transcripts of his post-third round interview. "Look, if I play great these next couple weeks, then maybe I'll have an outside chance."
Bhatia currently ranks 24th in the American Ryder Cup team standings. A victory at the 3M Open would move him into the top 20 and even closer to the top 15.
Akshay Bhatia of the United States reacts to his putt on the 16th green during the third round of the 3M Open 2025 at TPC Twin Cities on July 26, 2025 in Blaine, Minnesota.
Akshay Bhatia of the United States reacts to his putt on the 16th green during the third round of the 3M Open 2025 at TPC Twin Cities on July 26, 2025 in Blaine, Minnesota.However, the two-time PGA Tour winner has had a rather erratic performance throughout the season. This, he said, has been influenced by the pressure he put on himself to play in the biannual event for the first time.
"I definitely feel like it's been a demoralizing season for most of the year," he said, according to the transcripts. "Obviously (the) Players was my best finish and felt like I had a lot -- you know, I had a really good chance to win there."
"And then after that it's just been a decline. Struggled with my driver for a little bit, didn't play great in the majors, just too much pressure on myself trying to make Ryder Cup, trying to win, trying to contend in majors."
Akshay Bhatia is currently the co-leader at the @3MOpen.
He caught up with @Amanda_Balionis following his third round. pic.twitter.com/GXGE8kYzF6 — Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) July 26, 2025
Bhatia finished third at The Players Championship in March. However, he hasn't achieved another top-10 finish since then and missed the cut at two of the season's four majors.
The 23-year-old still has a chance to make up ground, as he'll be playing in the Wyndham Championship and likely two of the three FedEx Cup playoff tournaments.
However, he preferred to be cautious about the matter and simply send his best wishes to the team.
"All in all, you know, regardless if I make the team or not, I just really want us to succeed this year. I think it's a big Ryder Cup and I know Keegan's got a lot on his plate, obviously a potential player, so I just hope the best for them."
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