Michael Kim has revealed what most PGA Tour players really think of the putting technique Akshay Bhatia uses amid concerns that he may be anchoring the club against his body.
Bhatia is in the spotlight after his stunning performance on the back nine on Sunday to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The youngster actually gained more than 10 shots on the field with the putter in his hands across the week.
But Bhatia’s technique has been called into question.
PGA Tour players not concerned about Akshay Bhatia’s putting technique
The 24-year-old uses a broomstick putter. And it is fair to say that when you watch him on television, the top of the club appears to be incredibly close to his body when he makes a stroke.
Players are not allowed to have the putter touching their torso. While some players such as Adam Scott put clear daylight between their body and the long putter, Bhatia is someone who appears to push the limit.
He does appear to have his hand up against his clothing. With that, it is difficult to tell just how close the top of the club gets to his body.
But taking to X, Michael Kim insisted that he is confident that Bhatia is doing nothing wrong.
He posted: ‘It’s funny to me that Akshay anchoring is a thing. In person, it’s not that close. This is not a concern amongst the players‘.
Some players disagree with Michael Kim’s defence of Akshay Bhatia after the Arnold Palmer Invitational
While there are rules officials working at every event, there is a level of trust in every single player to police themselves if they make a mistake.
It would be a real shame if Bhatia was not trusted. Some may find his action to be very suspect, but it sets a dangerous precedent if he is not given the benefit of the doubt.
If Bhatia is not going to be believed, then rules officials will surely have to go out with every single group and watch every single shot hit across a tournament.
Having said that, it would appear that not everyone would agree with Kim’s statement. In response, TC from No Laying Up noted that a handful of players feel very differently.
He wrote: ‘I talked to three players yesterday all of whom said it was a big concern!‘
If Bhatia is not doing anything wrong, it is going to be extremely tough for him to prove his innocence with his current action.
The debate looks set to rumble on, with some clearly convinced that a change needs to be made.
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