+++ American Akshay Bhatia sinks a hole-in-one on the 17th hole
during the third round of the BMW Championship +++ All-electric BMW iX
M70 becomes the third Hole-in-One Car taken in tournament history +++
BMW donates a four-year scholarship to the Evans Scholars Foundation
in Bhatia’s name +++
Owings Mills. By the halfway point of the third round
of the BMW Championship, fans at the Caves Valley Golf Club had
already witnessed the shot of the tournament and celebrated
enthusiastically when Akshay Bhatia holed out on the 17th hole from a
distance of 195 meters (213 yards) using a 5-iron. For the ace, the
23-year-old American was rewarded with this year’s Hole-in-One Prize,
the new all-electric BMW iX M70. The BMW Group’s flagship technology
model impresses with up to 25% increased power output, significantly
improved efficiency, and a maximum range of 701 kilometers in the WLTP cycle.
The ace on the 17th was Bhatia’s second eagle of the day, having
already holed out with his second shot on the 7th hole. While the
two-time PGA TOUR winner was thrilled about the BMW iX, the eagles
were also crucial for his scorecard: Bhatia is ranked 29th in the
FedExCup standings and is fighting for a spot in next week’s season
finale, which is reserved for the top 30 players.
However, the Hole-in-One holds even greater significance for a
caddie, as BMW donates a full scholarship to the Evans Scholars
Foundation (ESF) for the first ace at the BMW Championship, enabling a
young person to pursue higher education. “We are proud of our
long-standing partnership with the Western Golf Association and the
tremendous impact the BMW Championship has had on the lives of so many
young scholars. Education is the key to a self-determined life,” said
Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, People
and Places. “Since the inaugural BMW Championship in 2007, the
tournament has raised more than $60 million and helped award more than
4,000 full tuition and housing college scholarships for caddies. I am
delighted that today’s ace adds another scholarship to this legacy.”
Bhatia commented: “The BMW is, of course, a fantastic bonus. Beyond
that, the two eagles I made today are really good for what I need to
do for tomorrow. But most importantly, it warms my heart that I can
give an opportunity to a kid who will have a full scholarship next
year. That’s a blessing, and the impact of the Evans Scholars
Foundation and the BMW Championship cannot be overstated.”
This marks the seventh time in tournament history that BMW has
donated an Evans Scholarship for the first ace at the BMW
Championship. The Hole-in-One Prize, however, has only been awarded
twice before. Jason Day (AUS) in 2017 and Hunter Mahan (USA) in 2013
were the lucky winners. Both players made their valuable aces on the
17th hole at Conway Farms Golf Club (Chicago). In 2013, Mahan received
an all-electric BMW i3, while Day donated the value of his Hole-in-One
Car – a BMW M760i – to the Evans Scholars Foundation.