Akshay Bhatia is thrilled to be fulfilling a long-held ambition as he prepares to make his Rolex Series debut at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
The rising star’s participation continues a tournament tradition of attracting leading American players to golf’s oldest competition in the Middle East, following on from Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young and Brian Harman in recent years.
Bhatia, a winner on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR, is part of an array of talent on show at Emirates Golf Club, with two-time defending champion Rory McIlory returning to defend his title.
"I've always wanted to be here, and thankfully it worked in the schedule this year," said Bhatia.
"And this is kind of the one event that I really wanted to kind of check off my list and so far, it's been amazing. So I hope to kind of come back more and more."
Bhatia, who is one of seven of the world's top 30 in the field for the 36th edition of the $9million tournament, claimed his first DP World Tour and PGA TOUR title at the co-sanctioned Barracuda Championship in 2023.
A second has since followed on his home tour at the Valero Texas Open last year, and he is hoping to soon build a more international schedule.
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"I'm still getting my foot out on the PGA TOUR," he said.
"So I'm hoping once I kind of get to the level where I have time to come over here, and it's a little easier to travel and it just makes sense.
"I mean, absolutely. I want to travel globally. I want to meet a lot of different people and see different cultures and so it's really enjoyable for me and especially being young, it's really nice to have the opportunity."
The 22-year-old was a decorated amateur, and represented the United States in the Junior Presidents Cup, Junior Ryder Cup and Walker Cup before turning professional in 2019.
Despite his rise up the Official World Golf Ranking - particularly over the last 12 months - Bhatia isn't looking too far ahead despite being in the picture for the United States Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black in September.
"It's not one of my main focuses," he said.
"Obviously making the team is amazing and important and of course I want to be on that team, but it's not the focus that I have for this year.
"So I feel like good golf, and some of the other goals I have, will help me kind of get to that Ryder Cup."
