Akshay Bhatia won a BMW iX M70 luxury electric vehicle after sinking a hole-in-one during Saturday’s BMW Championship third round. The 23-year-old golfer’s perfect shot on the 17th hole at Caves Valley Golf Club also secured a $125,000 donation to caddie scholarships while boosting his FedEx Cup playoff position.
Bhatia executed a career-defining shot on the tournament’s signature par-3 17th hole, a daunting 227-yard challenge with water hazards and bunkers guarding the green. Using a 5-iron, his tee shot landed perfectly on the front portion of the green before rolling directly into the cup. The ace earned him the BMW iX M70 displayed near the tee box, valued at approximately $150,000.
The BMW Championship serves as the penultimate FedEx Cup playoff event, with only the top 30 players advancing to the season-ending Tour Championship. Bhatia entered the week ranked 29th in FedEx Cup points – squarely on the qualification bubble. His hole-in-one moved him to even par for the tournament at a critical juncture.
BMW’s sponsorship agreement triggered a $125,000 donation to the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides college scholarships for caddies. Bhatia expressed humility about the prize: ‘I don’t really need a new car. I’m happy with what I’ve got. I’ll either give it to my caddie or donate it to charity.’
The hole-in-one capped a remarkable third-round resurgence for Bhatia. After struggling with a 5-over 75 on Thursday, he shot a 66 on Saturday that included an eagle on the 7th hole where he holed out from 93 yards with a sand wedge.
Bhatia must maintain his position during Sunday’s final round to secure his first Tour Championship berth. The ace provides crucial momentum as he battles golf’s top-ranked players. BMW confirmed the vehicle delivery will occur post-tournament, while the charitable donation will fund scholarships for 2026.