Akshay Bhatia is an American PGA Tour golfer known for his powerful left-handed swing, smooth tempo, and bold shot-making style. He turned professional in 2019 at just 17 years old, skipping college golf to chase his dream early.
Strong success as a junior and amateur player made him one of the most exciting young talents in American golf. His steady rise through developmental tours proved he could compete at the highest level. Bhatia’s journey reflects a modern path to elite golf, built on early dominance, international experience, and fast professional growth.
Akshay Bhatia Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Akshay Bhatia |
| Birth Date: | January 31, 2002 |
| Age: | 24 Years |
| Birthplace: | Northridge, California, USA |
| Height: | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Wife: | Presleigh Schultz |
Early Life
Akshay Bhatia was born on 31st January 2002, in Northridge, California, in the family of first-generation Indian Americans, Sonny and Renu Bhatia. In 2011, his family moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina, to help him gain an increased interest in golf and offer better training conditions.
Bhatia started playing the sport when he was 10 years old and was influenced in this by his older sister Rhea, who had played collegiate golf. His family believed in his great talent and motivated him to spend a lot of time training at a young age. Bhatia was homeschooled beginning in the sixth grade to give her more time to practice and travel to tournaments.
This allowed him to compete throughout the year and train against the best junior competition in the country. His professional life as a junior soon prospered. He has won several coveted young tournaments and has gained national attention due to his consistency and scoring capability.
He also represents a strong international level, having won two silver medals at the Youth Olympic Games (individual and mixed team events) in 2018. In 2017 and 2018, he played in Team USA at the Junior Presidents Cup and Junior Ryder Cup, respectively. By mid-teens, Bhatia was considered one of the best junior golfers around the globe.
Akshay Bhatia Career
Akshay Bhatia took a step towards professional competition in 2019, when he was the first high schooler to be chosen to play in the Walker Cup, representing the United States. He then, bravely, made the professional move in his early 17th year instead of going to college and playing golf.
He won the Swing Thought Tour and Big Easy Tour, gaining confidence and building points. His appearances at the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour events on the basis of sponsor exemptions proved his skill of competing with established professionals.
Bhatia gained further attention in 2023 when he won his first PGA Tour event, the Barracuda Championship, in a playoff and confirmed his rapid rise. The win put him on the record of the PGA Tour, and he demonstrated that he was capable of remaining calm under pressure.
Akshay Bhatia had another breakthrough with a wire-to-wire victory in the Valero Texas Open later in 2024 that gave him a first-time invitation to the Masters Tournament and further established him as an up-and-coming star.
Besides his professional win, Bhatia was also the first alumnus of the Drive, Chip, and Putt youth tournament to return to Augusta National as a participant in the Masters. His playing style focuses on aggressive scoring, creative shot shaping, and mental strength, which render him a competitive player in high-stakes events.
Personal Life
Akshay Bhatia is married to Presleigh Schultz. Their relationship began in 2019 after connecting through Instagram. What started as a simple message quickly grew into a serious relationship. Presleigh supported Akshay from early in his golf career and even caddied for him during one of his early professional wins.
She has remained by his side through major milestones, including his PGA Tour success. In September 2023, Akshay proposed in Napa Valley, and the couple later married in December 2025 in the Bahamas. Their relationship is built on strong support, shared experiences, and commitment to each other’s growth.
Social Media Presence
Akshay Bhatia is an active social media user, most specifically on Instagram, where he has a large following of 371K followers under the account name @akshay. His content includes tournament rounds, training, travelling, and behind-the-scenes of life on tour. Fans can track his path as he goes through practice, competition, and personal life with his teammates and other golfers.
Akshay Bhatia Net Worth
Akshay Bhatia has built strong wealth through both tournament winnings and endorsement deals. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is around $2 million. On the course, he has earned over $13 million in PGA Tour career prize money, boosted by victories such as the Barracuda Championship and the Valero Texas Open.
Off the course, Bhatia has secured major sponsorships that increase his income and visibility. He plays with Callaway Golf equipment, represents TravisMathew apparel, and partners with brands like Hero MotoCorp and Coupa Software. These endorsement deals, combined with consistent tournament success, continue to grow his overall earnings and financial standing.