Akshay Bhatia surges into top-10 at Doral with five-under 67 in third round
Synopsis
Akshay Bhatia's third round at Doral was a masterclass in momentum. A five-under 67 with four birdies and an eagle catapulted him from tied 26th to tied 8th, putting the Indian American golfer within striking distance of a top-10 finish. Meanwhile, Cameron Young's six-shot lead sets up a tense finale, with rain expected to add complexity to Sunday's showdown.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Bhatia carded 67 (five-under-par) in the third round at Trump National Doral on 3 May .
Bhatia climbed 18 spots from tied 26th to tied 8th, with a cumulative score of seven-under-par .
Cameron Young leads at 15-under-par , holding a six-shot advantage over the field.
Scottie Scheffler , Si Woo Kim , and Kristoffer Reitan are tied at nine-under-par .
Rain is forecast for the final round, potentially affecting course conditions and outcomes.
Akshay Bhatia, the Indian American golfer, carded a five-under-par 67 on the third round of the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in Miami on 3 May, climbing dramatically from tied 26th to tied 8th on the leaderboard. The round, traditionally called "moving day" in professional golf, proved transformative for Bhatia, who sits at seven-under-par after 54 holes and remains within striking distance heading into the final round.
Bhatia's round breakdown
The Indian American golfer struck four birdies and one eagle during his third-round display, though a bogey on the par-5 12th — where he had just sunk the eagle — slightly tempered his momentum. His birdies came on the third, fifth, eighth, and tenth holes, with the eagle on the 12th representing the round's standout moment. Despite the late bogey, his aggressive yet controlled approach yielded an 18-spot improvement on the leaderboard.
The leaderboard picture
Cameron Young maintains a commanding position atop the tournament, extending his lead to six shots over the field after a steady two-under-par 70. Young's cumulative score of 15-under-par gives him substantial cushion over a competitive chasing pack. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler posted a three-under-par 69 to reach nine-under-par, joining Si Woo Kim and Kristoffer Reitan at that mark, but the gap to Young remains substantial.
Other Indian-origin competitors
Sudarshan Yellamaraju sits tied for 37th after posting a 75, while Sahith Theegala — like Bhatia, backed by Hero — slipped to tied 63rd following a 74. Both players will attempt to recover on the final day as the tournament enters its concluding round.
Final-round outlook
Weather forecasts suggest possible rain could add unpredictability to the course conditions heading into Sunday's finale. Young's six-shot advantage is substantial, yet recent history offers caution: he held a similar lead at the Masters before finishing tied for third, indicating that final-round pressure can shift outcomes dramatically. For Bhatia, maintaining the confidence and rhythm demonstrated in round three will be critical if he hopes to climb further and secure another strong finish this season, particularly following his earlier tournament victory.
Point of View
And it showed why he belongs in elite tournaments. What's noteworthy is not just the climb but the consistency: four birdies plus an eagle, offset by one bogey, suggests controlled risk-taking rather than desperation. Young's six-shot lead looks imposing, but the Masters precedent is instructive—final-round pressure in the presence of Scheffler and others can unravel even commanding positions. Rain will be the wildcard; Doral's drainage is good, but unpredictability favours the hunter over the hunted.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Akshay Bhatia's score in the third round at Doral?
Akshay Bhatia carded a five-under-par 67 in the third round on 3 May, featuring four birdies and one eagle. The round moved him from tied 26th to tied 8th on the leaderboard.
How many spots did Bhatia gain on moving day?
Bhatia climbed 18 positions on the leaderboard, jumping from tied 26th to tied 8th with his five-under-par 67.
Who leads the Cadillac Championship heading into the final round?
Cameron Young leads at 15-under-par with a six-shot advantage over the field. Scottie Scheffler, Si Woo Kim, and Kristoffer Reitan are tied for second at nine-under-par.
What is Bhatia's cumulative score after three rounds?
Bhatia sits at seven-under-par after 54 holes at Trump National Doral, positioning him within striking distance for a top-10 finish.
