Akshay Bhatia simply bought off the golf course the place he struggled to interrupt 80, and it’s going to be a hell of a combat simply to make the reduce the following day. Not too many golfers could be within the temper to meet media obligations in such a state of affairs, however the 23-year-old’s perspective on the sport is a breath of contemporary air. He’s making his first-ever look on the Arnold Palmer Invitational. And because it so occurs, it’s additionally his debut bout within the ring as a Mastercard ambassador. “I really feel like I’ve made it,” is Bhatia’s response to seeing his face displayed on match billboards across the course. It’s a justified sentiment given his world quantity 30 rating and two TOUR victories in the identical variety of full seasons.
However this week isn’t about Akshay, and he is aware of that. It’s about honoring the legacy of an important champion and an excellent higher position mannequin: Arnold Palmer. In a day and age the place conversations on social media form the narrative round beloved sporting idols, inspecting the legacy of Mr. Palmer (as he’s fondly referred to by right this moment’s gamers) feels particularly related. Arnie lived in a time when documenting each trivialities of 1’s day was merely not attainable, but he solid such a powerful connection along with his followers which will by no means be equaled.
Relating the Nineteen Fifties to the current day is akin to evaluating apples and oranges. The broader level is that in right this moment’s digital panorama of media-savvy skilled golfers and golfing-savvy content material creators, Bhatia, born greater than 70 years after Palmer, is keenly conscious of The King’s lasting affect. He’s being interviewed by us within the Mastercard Creator Studio, an area that the bank card firm curated to attach its ambassadors like Curtis Unusual, Annika Sorenstam and Bhatia with on-line voices reminiscent of Matthew Haag, Carlee Shoemaker and Tyler Webb. And but, he speaks with a grounded appreciation for what he’s achieved and those that got here earlier than him to create the chance to compete for tens of millions.
Attempting to match Palmer’s aggressive accomplishments could also be a idiot’s errand, but it surely feels as if the younger skilled (who has already gained twice on the PGA TOUR) is doing his small half to construct on Arnie’s legacy. That’s, competing at a really excessive degree, taking the time to attach with followers and media, and doing all of it with a ton of humility, grace and perspective.
That is your first look with Mastercard and your first time taking part in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. So what’s it wish to see the presence that they’ve right here realizing that you just characterize the model?
It’s superb. Clearly this match is so iconic and to be an envoy for Mastercard is de facto cool. And for them to sponsor such a tremendous occasion that’s been round for such a very long time and actually carries on Arnold Palmer’s legacy, it’s actually cool. It’s the primary time I’ve actually had a accomplice like this the place I see my face on among the grandstands. So I’m actually excited for the connection that we are going to construct.
What’s your response whenever you see your face on these grandstands?
I really feel like I’ve made it, actually. No, I feel it’s simply actually cool to have extra publicity by such an important partnership. And so I stay up for hopefully coming again right here for a very long time and representing Mastercard very well. And it’d be actually cool to win this occasion sooner or later.
Do you are feeling like the best way that you just made it by mini excursions, the Korn Ferry Tour and actually earned your home right here offers you a stronger appreciation in your successes to date?
Yeah, I imply, it clearly makes me the particular person I’m right this moment, grinding on a regular basis and simply taking it step-by-step. This sport can come at you actually quick. It took me just a little little bit of time, however now it appears like a lightweight yr since I gained my first mini tour occasion. So it’s at all times enjoyable to proceed to be taught and construct and to look again and see the place I’m at right this moment versus a pair years in the past.
“I’m sort of an extrovert…I feed off of individuals’s power and help.”
You talked about the legacy of Arnold Palmer. Did you get to fulfill him?
No, I used to be too younger to actually actually know him. However clearly I watched him tee up at Augusta yearly hitting the opening tee photographs. And being from Wake Forest, North Carolina, there’s a statue within the city and I performed the golf course he grew up taking part in a handful of instances. It’s simply an outdated municipal sort of course with crabgrass greens, but it surely’s so completely different and so enjoyable. He had numerous swag and a presence to him that I feel lots of people don’t notice now. However he had a huge impact on the sport of golf.
We’re sitting right here on this Mastercard Creator Studio. Have you ever ever seen one thing like this at a PGA TOUR occasion?
Probably not. I imply, that is actually cool. It appears like I’m doing the Climate Channel or one thing. However, yeah it’s a reasonably cool setup. I imply I like creating content material and I benefit from the social media aspect. It’s a giant a part of my life. And so anytime I get an opportunity to point out everybody who I’m or issues that individuals wish to know is a giant win.
Do you consider it as a duty or a privilege that individuals wish to know you higher? How do you construct your following whereas prioritizing your sport?
You need to discover stability. However, you understand, I simply actually get pleasure from it. I like interacting with folks. I’m sort of an extrovert, I assume. I feed off of individuals’s power and help, so I simply get pleasure from it. I get pleasure from making children smile. Individuals wait all day for me so I attempt my finest to offer again. I’m very lucky for the platform I’ve, and hopefully it could possibly proceed to construct.
