On Thursday during the Memorial Tournament, Akshay Bhatia executed an impressive yet risky golf shot known as a Driver Off the Deck (DOD). This technique involves striking the ball with a driver without the aid of a tee, presenting significant difficulty as the driver is typically not designed to hit the ground during contact. Bhatia’s attempt sparked mixed reactions among fans and analysts due to its close but ultimately unsuccessful result.
Understanding the Challenge Behind Bhatia’s Driver Off the Deck Shot
A Driver Off the Deck shot requires the golfer to hit the ball directly off the ground without any elevation, unlike the standard tee setup which helps the driver make clean contact. Typically, irons can tolerate some ground contact, but a driver hitting the turf often indicates a poor strike. Bhatia took on this challenge in his round, sending the ball rolling just past the hole, narrowly missing a potential historic putt.
The PGA Tour initially described the shot as nearly holing out, but comment sections showed fans were divided, with some disagreeing on just how close it was. Despite not scoring with this shot, Bhatia’s precise line and proximity still provided him with a strong advantage for his approach.
At the close of his opening round, Bhatia stood two strokes under par, tied for fourth place trailing leaders Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa, and Ben Griffin. His solid performance despite the driver’s inconsistency highlighted both his skill and the high-risk, high-reward nature of his shot choice.
Akshay Bhatia Addresses Difficulties With His Driver Recently
Although Bhatia is competing well, including a top-25 finish at the Charles Schwab Challenge, he openly acknowledged frustrations with his current form, particularly with his driver. He described ongoing struggles that have cost him valuable shots in recent tournaments.
“The biggest thing right now is my driver. I’ve been just really, really struggling. I have one or two really bad golf swings that, I mean, cost me a lot of shots,” said Bhatia, as quoted by Golf.com.
Despite his driver’s unpredictability, Bhatia managed to avoid issues on his DOD shot during Thursday’s round, showcasing moments of sharp execution. However, he emphasized that his overall golf swing remains a work in progress as he adjusts to new coaching circumstances.
“My golf swing is not where I wanted it to be, and it’s been an adjustment for me coach and I. I used to live right down the street from him ( California), and now we’re in different states. I used to see him so frequently,” Bhatia explained.
Confidence remains a key strength for Bhatia, despite recent challenges. He reflected on how maintaining belief in his game helps him manage ups and downs, noting that last year he felt particularly confident—though he was careful not to come across as boastful.
The Importance of Bhatia’s Performance at the Memorial Tournament
Akshay Bhatia’s choice to attempt a Driver Off the Deck shot reflects his willingness to take risks during high-level competition, emphasizing creativity and nerve under pressure. His near-successful effort and solid placing early in the tournament underscore both his talent and potential for growth, even amid technical struggles.
How Bhatia refines his driver and swing mechanics in the coming weeks will likely impact his ability to climb higher on leaderboards, especially competing alongside established players like Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa, and Ben Griffin. Fans and analysts will continue to watch whether Bhatia’s confidence and adjustments translate into more consistent results throughout the Memorial Tournament and beyond.