Akshay Bhatia has noticed a difference between DP World Tour golfers and PGA Tour players whilst at the Dubai Desert Classic

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Becoming an elite golfer on the PGA Tour requires hours and hours of practice, and many of the game’s best players have been working on improvements during the off-season.

Justin Thomas is the highest-profile name to document his off-season work. The two-time major winner has added speed to his swing and is clearly looking to increase yardage with his driver.

Xander Schauffele, who improved his club speed before his double-major winning season in 2024, has also been practicing hard. Schauffele isn’t happy with his wedge game and is looking to improve ahead of what is a busy stretch on the PGA Tour schedule.

Despite some of the PGA Tour’s best players clearly working hard, Akshay Bhatia believes those on the DP World Tour have taken their practice to a new level.

What Akshay Bhatia has noticed about DP World Tour players

Bhatia is competing at this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, and the 22-year-old has claimed that players on the DP World Tour actually practice harder than their PGA Tour counterparts.

Bhatia was asked: “Do you notice any differences between the tours?”

“Yeah, guys practice a lot more than the PGA Tour,” the American said. “I mean this golf course is really good. It’s a really good test and gets really firm so it’s a nice challenge.”

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Where is Akshay Bhatia in Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard?

Bhatia is currently one under for the tournament after shooting one over on day three. The American isn’t the only player who has struggled at Emirates Golf Club.

Jon Rahm missed the cut after finishing two over, as did Viktor Hovland, who ended his 36 holes four over. South African Thriston Lawrence also missed the cut.

The Dubai Desert Classic will be the last event for some time where the world’s best players are present at a DP World Tour tournament. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood will head to back to the PGA Tour and the likes of Tyrrell Hatton, Rahm and Patrick Reed will turn their focus to the LIV Golf League, which starts at the beginning of February.