MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 7, 2026

Akshay Bhatia

Quick Quotes

Q. Talk about with the conditions out there, the wind, firm and fast, how does that affect how Amen Corner plays?

AKSHAY BHATIA: Yeah, I mean 11 is a new green so that's already going to be firm. Just makes your landing zones a lot smaller. You have to be very precise and miss in the right spot. Definitely makes it trickier.

And then when the grass dries up here gets realistic see is chipping around some of those greens can be really tough.

You just got to have some creativity when it comes to trying to make fours and fives. You know, on 11, 12 if you make three every day you're gaining a lot; 13 plays a little easier with that way. With it being firmer goes a little further and you have a shorter club in.

Q. Before you played here as a pro or even as an amateur, what was the mystique you felt about those three holes, 11, 12, 13? Now couple years later does it still live up to the hype, those three?

AKSHAY BHATIA: Absolutely. I think 11 is obviously a really cool hole. It's just one of the hardest holes I think we play all year.

Then 12 might be the best 150 yard par-3 in the world. It's so hard. You can look like a fool; you can also look great hitting it to 40 feet.

And that's what's great about the Masters. Most of the patrons understand what a great shot is there when they're watching. Yeah, definitely lives up to the prestige it has, and you know what that feeling is like when you're walking to that hole. You know it's going to be tricky and you know it's going to be -- you just got to hit it good and pray that it works out.

Q. So guys have talked about how quiet 12 green and 13 tee box in particular are because far away from the patrons; really not a lot of cameras back there. Just you and the guys you're playing with and the caddies. What's the feeling of standing on 13 when the rest of this place is so loud or can be so loud and it's just almost dead silent on 13?

AKSHAY BHATIA: Yeah, it's a definitely kind of a take-a-breath moment. A lot when you come here this tournament is obviously a big deal to a lot of us, whether it's your first or your 20th. So when you do get to 12 and 13 you almost have a moment to yourself with your caddie whether the round is going good or not. So it is a really nice kind of calming, you can hear the wind blow through the trees, hear the birds.

It's a refreshing feeling.

Q. Kind of a zen moment, take stock of what you've done and what you got ahead, right?

AKSHAY BHATIA: Yeah, absolutely.

Q. If you were a patron and came here for the first time, you've been here, been around, what are the things that you would absolutely do? Any sandwich you would have to try? Would you combine any sandwiches? Any tricks you picked up coming over the years?

AKSHAY BHATIA: Yeah, I mean, I think it's hard not to go to the merch tent. It's memories for life for your first Masters coming as a patron. I'd buy a bunch of stuff. Yeah, you have to try everything. They do an amazing job with the food here. I eat a pimento cheese sandwich every day after my round. I'm a pimento guy. The ice cream sandwiches are unbelievable. That's something I get after every round.

You can't go wrong with this place. Everything is just top tier.

Q. You ever tried putting the pimento on anything else?

AKSHAY BHATIA: No, I stick to that.