Ailing Bhatia claims 2nd PGA Tour title

Akshay Bhatia threw out his shoulder while fist-pumping a birdie putt to force a playoff at the Valero Texas Open — to the level where he asked for treatment on the first playoff hole.

It led to his second PGA Tour title, as Bhatia dramatically outlasted a hard-charging Denny McCarthy in a playoff.

After hitting his second shot on the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th at TPC San Antonio, Bhatia took a timeout of sorts to be taped up by a trainer. He emerged after three minutes and wedged to 6 feet for birdie, which was enough for the win as McCarthy chunked his third shot into a creek short of the green, took a penalty drop and couldn’t hole out for par.

The scene drew a comparison to Scottie Scheffler’s neck treatment during the second round of last month’s Players Championship, where the defending champ pulled off his second straight victory at TPC Sawgrass.

Bhatia’s assistance came in more dramatic fashion. After he drained a mustmake 12-footer on the 72nd hole following McCarthy’s seven straight birdies to conclude regulation.

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