2024 Rocket Classic runner-up Akshay Bhatia commits to 2025 classic
Akshay Bhatia came so close to winning last time he played in Detroit, and he'll now get an opportunity to make up for his disappointing final round.
After finishing as the runner-up in the 2024 Rocket Classic, the world's No. 34-ranked Bhatia has committed to participating in the 2025 Classic, taking place at Detroit Golf Club from June 25-29.
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Bhatia is a two-time PGA Tour winner, winning the 2024 Valero Texas Open in San Antonio and the 2023 Barracuda Championship in Truckee, California, just north of Lake Tahoe. He achieved his highest world ranking (No. 21) on March 16 and made the cut for the 2025 PGA Championship in May.
The 23-year-old left-hander led throughout most of the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic, not recording a bogey through the first 54 holes of the tournament. He ran through a little adversity on the final day, but still found himself in position to win on the final hole.
However, he three-putted the 72nd hole − his only three-put of the tournament − to give Cam Davis his second Rocket Classic win.
Bhatia finished the 2024 tournament 17-under and tied for second place with David Thompson, Min Woo Lee and Aaron Rai.
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Davis, who is the only two-time winner of the Rocket Classic (2021 and 2024), has committed to the 2025 event, along with former champions Rickie Fowler (2023) and Tony Finau (2022). The world's No. 4 ranked Collin Morikawa is also scheduled to participate.
The Rocket Classic had its first tournament in 2019 and has become a fan-favorite event for Detroiters. The 2025 Classic will be held from June 26-29 at Detroit Golf Club, with tickets available at RocketClassic.com.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2024 Rocket Classic runner-up Akshay Bhatia commits to 2025 classic
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