Akshay Bhatia competed in the 2025 Player Championship.
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If I had to guess, I would say that 90% of the wedges on the PGA Tour are original finishes – original meaning metal, without chrome plating or anything else. Over time, they start to patina, not only looking great and removing glare, but also (theoretically) adding to the spinning hair. Theoretically speaking. I’ve never seen the evidence, but, hey, it’s fun to think about it. In my experience, in some cases, the apple actually rotates a little.
This week, Akshay Bhatia made the unimaginable shift head and replaced his trusted original finish (pictured below) in exchange for a set of Chrome/Satin Finish wedges. The makeup/specs set are still the same, but the idea is (theoretically) the face of the Chrome finish actually rotates a little bit, which is crucial for the tough TPC Sawgrass greens, not to mention the upcoming events of Valspar and Augusta.
According to Callaway Tour Rep Kellen Watson, Bhatia mentioned that starting with 120 yards, the rotation of Chrome Opus made his rotation important enough.
Callaway Golf World
Callaway Golf World
Callaway Golf World
As a wedge player, Batia’s wedge has original launch conditions. I mean he was able to hit the low burner, high spin, knee-high fastball from 50 degrees to 60.
The wedges in the bag are on the truck this week, but in the true Akshay way, a custom order was ordered from Callaway Wedge artist Anthony Taranto, already ordered, and already on the way to Valspar.
The thing here is “trust” in the player, sometimes a simple switch like this, although 75% placebo and 25% actual performance can give some players only a little bit of confidence. Even if the math doesn’t prove your point, this is an interesting part of golf equipment. I don’t know how many spins I get here, but to be honest, it’s OK. Its hope or idea may make the player fully need to execute.
And it seems to be working. Bhatia enters SG: The third round around the green.
Callaway Opus Custom Wedge
$179.99
Welcome work – Callaway is at its best in wedge design, playing wedges from around the world to a whole new level. By leveraging the new spin Gen Face Technology™, three spin elements together provide short game moves and controls that have never been seen before. We spent hours browsing every detail of shapes and design with the best players in the world, so you can have a wedge that sits confidently behind the ball and be ready to hit any shot your game might need. Rotating Gen Face Technology™ is used for Circuit-level Rotating Gen Face Technology, providing rotation and control by combining 3 key elements of the face. A new tighter pitch allows more grooves to tilt when the face is opened and rotate when the face is opened, while the new aggressive face explosion provides a swivel and bite shot. These three elements work together to provide a clear travel-level rotation. Tour certified shaped wedge is the most verified verified shape in Callaway’s history. The higher toe peaks, radius in the front edge, and easier Hosel transitions make Opus the best wedge shape we have ever had. The grinding options for your game are carried around, so finding the right grinding in a wedge game is crucial. With Opus, we have a complete lineup of unique shapes from narrow to wide to use in our popular S-Grained, Forgiving W, Versatile C, and Tour-Trual Favorite T Grind.
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