Tony Finau. Filepic
Vallarta, Mexico, April 30: Akshay Bhatia who turned 21 three months ago could be on the verge of a career-defining breakthrough as he battles two experienced stars including World No. 1 and defending champion Jon Rahm and the current Mexico Open leader, Tony Finau, who was a runner-up to Rahm last year in the Mexico Open.
Bhatia, a left-hander, shot 68-65 on the first two days and added 63 on the third day. That 63 equalled the erstwhile course record at Vidanta Vallarta, but then Jon Rahm carded 10-under 61 and roared into contention as he got to 17-under alongside Bhatia,
Finau had five birdies in the last seven holes in his 6-under 65 and moved to 19-under and a two-shot lead over Masters champion Rahm and Bhatia. They will play the final round together, just as they did at the practice round earlier in the week.
Bhatia, who won on the Korn Ferry Tour last season, was second in Puerto Rico, which helped him gain Special Temporary Membership, which means he can get unlimited exemptions this year. He is sure of his card next season, though he would need to win to get into FedEx Cup play-offs on the PGA TOUR.
Bhatia finished in style, hitting his second shot to 8 feet on the par-5 18th hole for an eagle and a 63. Bhatia had eight birdies and an eagle against two bogeys. He played his last seven holes in six-under as he finished with an eagle after a hat-trick of birdies from 14th to 16th. He also had back-to-back birdies on second-third and sixth-seventh.
Rahm matched his lowest round on the PGA TOUR with a 61. After starting the third round six shots behind, he at one point took a one-shot lead until Finau rallied at the end.
Rahm missed only one green and four of his 10 birdies were putts from about 25 feet or longer.
Finau was at 19-under 194 as he goes for his second victory this season, and his fourth PGA TOUR title in the last nine months.
Rahm also shot 61 in the third round of the WGC-Mexico Championship at Chapultepec in 2020, and in the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in 2022. He did not win either of those two tournaments.
Brandon Wu (67) was three shots behind. No one else was within five shots of Finau.
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