It’s not something you do every day to take your shirt off while playing in a PGA Tour event. Unless you are following Joel Dahmen or Harry Higgs at WM Phoenix Open, most golfers wear their tops when they compete.
Akshay Bhattia, however, was unable to finish the third round at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens.
Pros are accustomed to taking off their socks and shoes when they step into the marshes that surround many golf courses. Bhatia took his shirt off twice during the third round.
It was done again! ?@AkshayBhatia_1 might need another change of clothes @TheHondaClassic pic.twitter.com/Ktk5nYPkAc
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR February 25, 2023
He did it for the first time on the sixth hole. It was a par. His second shot was from the water and he was able get up and down from fairway to make par. After taking off his shirt, shoes and hat, his girlfriend brought him a new set of clothes.
It takes a village @AkshayBhatia_1 Presleigh, Presleigh’s girlfriend, came in clutches with the backup outfit @TheHondaClassic. https://t.co/lPJcuYDEPv pic.twitter.com/FNyRn3Gpil
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR February 25, 2023
His second attempt came on the par-3 17th, when his tee shot was too long. It didn’t go so well this time. He had to hit two shots in the mud and ended up making double-bogey.
Let’s hope Bhatia (who shot 4-over-74 in the third round) can avoid the mud Sunday.