India's Arkesh Bhatia, 27, is competing at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in New Zealand. In an interview published by the organisers on 29 October, he described the back injury that interrupted his plans, his decision to remain an amateur and the different kind of golfing life he has since built.
A different decision after injury
According to Bhatia, he injured his back during a gym session in December 2022. The subsequent pain and lengthy recovery interrupted his studies and golf ambitions in Florida. Surgery brought uncertainty about whether he would return to the game. His account is personal testimony; the championship article does not provide an independent medical assessment.
Bhatia no longer treats the professional route as the only measure of success. He works in ship recycling and plays competitive amateur golf while keeping room for family and professional responsibilities outside sport.
Why Belgrade features on his schedule
Although he represents India and lives in Dubai, Bhatia often travels to Serbia. He looks for local events that fit around business trips to Belgrade. The AAC organisers report that he has won four Serbian events recognised by the World Amateur Golf Ranking. His calendar therefore looks different from that of a touring professional: participation is shaped by work, travel and the pleasure of competition.
Rethinking the swing, not prescribing a cure
Bhatia says the experience prompted him to reconsider some movement patterns. He normally plays right-handed but sometimes finishes a day by hitting shots left-handed, using the change of sides to reflect on asymmetry. That is his own experience, not medical guidance or a drill recommended to golfers recovering from spinal injuries. Return-to-play decisions require individual professional advice.
Two amateur milestones
In 2026 he achieved two goals: qualifying for the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Sand Valley in Wisconsin and returning to the Asia-Pacific Amateur, where he previously appeared in 2021. At Te Arai Links, he hopes to represent India well without allowing a single score to define the value of his return.
This is an original editorial account of an interview released by the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship on 29 October 2026. GOLFTWITT did not interview Bhatia directly.
