Did Bhatia's Journey End Early at the Sanderson Farms Championship?
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Synopsis
Akshay Bhatia's hopes of continuing in the Sanderson Farms Championship were dashed as he missed the cut, finishing at 1-over 145. South African Garrick Higgo leads after two rounds. What does this mean for Bhatia and the upcoming tournament? Discover the insights and implications in this thrilling golf recap.
Key Takeaways
- Akshay Bhatia's
- Garrick Higgo
- The championship supports Friends of Children's Hospital.
- The total purse has been reduced to $6,000,000
- The event has a rich history dating back to its inception in Hattiesburg.
Jackson (Mississippi), Oct 4 (NationPress) Akshay Bhatia faced an abrupt conclusion to his participation in the Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson. The young golfer, aged 22, recorded an initial even-par score of 72 followed by a 1-over 73 during his second round, resulting in a total of 1-over 145 across 36 holes — falling five shots short of the cut line, which was set at 4-under.
Commencing his second round from the 10th tee, Bhatia encountered setbacks with dropped shots on the 14th and 16th holes but managed to bounce back with birdies on the 3rd and 5th holes. Unfortunately, a final bogey on the 8th, his second to last hole, extinguished his hopes for a weekend appearance. He will aim to recover quickly as the PGA TOUR continues its fall schedule.
Leading the pack, South African Garrick Higgo surged into first place with impressive round scores of 65 and 66, totaling 13-under. His second day featured a steady back nine with four birdies, showcasing a remarkable performance in his comeback season following hip surgery.
Hot on his heels, Eric Cole and Taylor Montgomery are tied for second place at 12-under. Cole maintained consistency with a solid 67 after a spectacular first round that included 10 birdies, while Montgomery delivered the day's top performance with a breathtaking 9-under 63 to join the contention. Danny Walker stands alone in fourth place at 11-under as the tournament heads into the weekend.
Initially held at the Hattiesburg Country Club in Hattiesburg, the event shifted to Annandale Golf Club in Madison in 1994, where it remained until 2013. The tournament is organized by Century Club Charities, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting golf for charitable purposes. The primary beneficiary of the Sanderson Farms Championship is Friends of Children's Hospital, supporting the Batson Children's Hospital.
In 2024, Kevin Yu from Taiwan claimed victory against American Beau Hossler in a playoff, earning a winner's purse of 1,368,000. This year, the champion will receive a check of 1,080,000, as the total prize pool has been adjusted to 6,000,000 from last year's 7,600,000.
Point of View
Bhatia's early exit is a significant moment in his career, reflecting both the highs and lows that young athletes face. While it’s a setback, it serves as a learning experience as he continues to develop his skills on the PGA TOUR. The tournament's charity focus also highlights golf's role in giving back to the community.
NationPress
04/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Akshay Bhatia miss the cut at the Sanderson Farms Championship?
Akshay Bhatia missed the cut after finishing with a total score of 1-over 145, which was five shots behind the cut line set at 4-under.
Who is currently leading the Sanderson Farms Championship?
Garrick Higgo is leading the tournament with a remarkable score of 13-under after two rounds.
What is the primary charity supported by the Sanderson Farms Championship?
The main charity supported by the Sanderson Farms Championship is Friends of Children's Hospital, which benefits the Batson Children's Hospital.
What is the total purse for this year's Sanderson Farms Championship?
The total purse for this year’s Sanderson Farms Championship is $6,000,000.
When was the Sanderson Farms Championship first held?
The Sanderson Farms Championship was originally held at the Hattiesburg Country Club before moving to Annandale Golf Club in Madison in 1994.
