Pat Mayo highlighted Akshay Bhatia’s strong long-iron proximity—ranking fourth in the field from 200-plus yards—and newfound confidence with the putter. Bhatia’s accuracy off the tee could help him avoid big numbers, making him a viable dark-horse bet at 80-1.

Keith Stewart recommended Akshay Bhatia as a strong play in the 7K range for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, highlighting his exceptional 200-plus yard proximity and scoring ability. Stewart noted that Bhatia is not afraid to win and has been striking the ball well. Although Bhatia has not played this course on the PGA Tour before, his skill set makes him a good fit for Bay Hill, especially given his proficiency with long irons and comfort in scoring opportunities.

Josh Culp said Akshay Bhatia is a strong bet to finish inside the top 10 at the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Culp noted Bhatia’s recent surge in performance, highlighting that he’s been the third-best putter in the field over the last six months while consistently gaining strokes both off the tee and on approach. Most significantly, Bhatia ranks in the top 15th percentile for long iron play from outside 200 yards, which makes him well suited for the demanding setup at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.

Jason Rouslin highlighted Akshay Bhatia as a strong play for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, emphasizing his recent good form despite fatigue from previous events. Rouslin noted that Bhatia played well in Mexico, possibly due to a sponsor exemption obligation, and appears to be in good shape. With a week off to rest and return to Florida, Rouslin believes Bhatia could perform well at Bay Hill, which he feels is better suited to Bhatia's game. Although Bhatia tends to spray the ball off the tee, Rouslin thinks his precision with long irons and high ball flight will benefit him on this course. He expects Bhatia to be a strong contender over the next two weeks.

Pat Mayo highlighted Akshay Bhatia as a potential breakout candidate for the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Mayo noted that Bhatia has been performing well in windy and difficult conditions, which are expected at Bay Hill. He emphasized that Bhatia has gained strokes putting in every tournament this season and tends to putt better on Poa greens. Mayo expressed optimism about Bhatia's potential performance, stating, 'I'd love for this to be a breakout week for Akshay.'

Pat Mayo expressed skepticism about Akshay Bhatia despite his strong statistical rankings for the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Mayo highlighted that Bhatia ranks first in the field over the past 24 rounds per round on courses with long rough and over 7,400 yards. However, he cautioned that Bhatia's limited sample size of three rounds and potential inconsistency make him a risky selection. Mayo humorously added, 'Can't wait for him to miss the cut and screw all my lineups on DraftKings,' suggesting that Bhatia may not meet expectations despite favorable stats.

Michael Harrison highlighted Akshay Bhatia at +7500 as a strong value play, noting back-to-back top-10 finishes. Over his last eight worldwide starts, Bhatia has recorded four top-10 showings, with his worst result only a T-37. He currently ranks eighth in strokes gained: tee-to-green in recent events, indicating a continued upward trend in his game.

Pat Mayo singled out Akshay Bhatia as a top option for the Mexico Open, noting his repeated success putting on pass palom greens at events like Puerto Rico and Corrales. Mayo mentioned Bhatia’s comfortable history on these slower surfaces, including his Corn Ferry Tour win on similar grass types. Given the tournament's likely reliance on distance and putting, Mayo expects Bhatia to capitalize on his specialized skill set in DFS and outright betting markets.

Rick Gehman said Akshay Bhatia is a compelling play in this weak field, pointing to Bhatia’s strong off-the-tee numbers—he’s gained strokes off the tee in four of his last five events—and a T4 finish at this same tournament two years ago. Rick noted that while Bhatia’s short game can be erratic, the Pass Palum setup likely mitigates those concerns. He also highlighted that Bhatia is among the most talented in this field and should feel confident about contending here.

Brady Kannon advised avoiding Akshay Bhatia at short odds, explaining that Bhatia is unfamiliar with the pressure of being a favorite. Kannon cited a pattern in which younger, less established players often struggle when unexpectedly placed atop the odds board. While acknowledging Bhatia’s skill and success at longer odds, Kannon cautioned that the burden of increased expectations makes him a riskier bet at this event.

Jason Rouslin suggests drafting Akshay Bhatia, expecting him to play frequently and make a significant push this season, increasing his fantasy point potential due to high tournament participation.