US Masters: Indian-Americans Akshay Bhatia, Sahith Theegala hope their starts at Augusta helps to boost golf in India
- Bhatia arrives on back of winning PGA Texas Open and welcomes being inspiration to Indian fans
- Theegala felt ‘prideful’ at support during Houston Open, won first PGA title in September
Indian-American golfers Akshay Bhatia, coming off a PGA Texas Open triumph, and Sahith Theegala, who won his first PGA title last September, hope their Masters starts can boost Indian golf.
The 20-something Californians, whose families both emigrated to the United States from India, are among 89 players set to begin play on Thursday at Augusta National.
“I don’t know if I quite realise what Sahith and I can do for the golf in India,” Bhatia said. “I know it’s really special when I have a bunch of fans looking up to me, a bunch of kids coming up to me.
“I think it’s awesome just being able to grow the game not just in the States, but in India. It’s special to us, what we can do for golf there is, I think, awesome, and the development we can accomplish for people over there is really cool.”
Theegala was equally excited at the Indian support during the Houston Open last month.
“You feel prideful. It’s really cool,” he said. “In Houston a bunch of young Indian kids came out and followed, and my parents were there and they were just encouraging them.
“Probably for a few of the first times, a couple of Indian kids came up and said they’re playing golf because of me. It’s pretty crazy to hear that. But it’s cool and hopefully I can keep being an inspiration.”
