24 year old Indian American, Akshay Bhatia continued his strong run of form on the PGA Tour with rounds of 68-71-67-68 to finish T-16 at 10-under 274 at the US$ 20mn Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, Los Angeles, the second of the Signature events of the PGA Tour season, which each carry US$20 million in prize money.
The Genesis is the second of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events — a series of eight limited-field tournaments in 2026, each offering a $20 million purse and 700 FedExCup points to the winner. Entry is restricted to the top 50 from the previous season’s FedExCup standings, along with the Aon Next 10, Aon Swing 5, current season winners, the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking and sponsor exemptions. Player-hosted events such as the Genesis, Arnold Palmer Invitational and Memorial Tournament feature a 36-hole cut to the top 50 and ties (within 10 shots of the lead), while the remaining Signature events have no cut. Winners earn $4 million.
Already a two-time PGA Tour winner, Bhatia backed up last week’s T-6 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with another solid week, though he was never quite in contention on Sunday.
At Pebble Beach, Bhatia had carried the 54 hole lead at 19-under before Collin Morikawa surged past him with a closing charge to win at 22 under. The near miss, however, underlined his growing consistency in elite fields.
There is one area under scrutiny. Bhatia’s putting numbers have gradually dipped over the past three seasons, ranking 33rd in 2024, 35th in 2025 and currently 55th. It is still early in the campaign, and a win appears close if the putter warms up.
Through five starts this season, Bhatia has made three cuts with a best finish of T3 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and sits 15th in the 2026 PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings.
Sahith Theegala carded 71-70-68-67 to finish T-22 at 8-under, while British Indian Aaron Rai, married to Delhi pro Gaurika Bishnoi, closed with a disappointing 76 to place T-28 at 6-under.
Photo – PGA Tour
