Exclusive: Akshay Bhatia has one celebrity in mind for his dream golf round appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Akshay Bhatia has played alongside elite golfers, but there is still one legend he would have dreamed of playing with.
“For a hypothetical question, I have a theoretical answer: Kobe Bryant,” Bhatia shared of the late NBA legend in an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints for his partnership with ZYRTEC™ Allergen Shield Spray. “The Mamba mentality is something that I deeply respect and strive for. It’s certainly not easy and I’m not Kobe Bryant, but if there’s one guy I’d like to get out there with and spend a day around, it would be him.”
Bryant died alongside his daughter, Gigi Bryant, and seven others in a helicopter crash in 2020. He was 41.
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Before his death, Bryant had been seen on a golf course at least once; he was known to turn down invitations from Michael Jordan. However, in 2011, the NBA icon and his Los Angeles Lakers teammates participated in Matt Barnes’ Athletes Versus Cancer Golf Classic at Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, according to CBS News.
Days after the NBA icon’s death, several golfers paid tribute to Bryant via during the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Former NBA player J.R. Smith wrote “Kobe,” “Mamba” and “Gigi” on his shoes.
When it comes to getting ready for a major tournament or a practice round of golf, Bhatia makes sure to keep his ZYRTEC Allergen Shield Spray a part of his routine. He revealed how the partnership came about and why the collaboration was a no-brainer.
“I’ve dealt with allergies since I was around 15, so ZYRTEC has been part of my life even before the partnership. On tour, we spend so much time outside in places where pollen can be really intense, and I’ve learned that I have to manage my allergies just like any other part of my preparation,” Bhatia said. “The partnership felt natural because I already knew the brand and relied on it, and now I’ve been able to add the new ZYRTEC™ Allergen Shield Spray to my routine as another way to get ahead of allergens before I go outside.”
Bhatia is currently gearing up for his next tournament where his ZYRTEC Allergen Shield Spray will come in handy. The pro golfer will be heading to the BMW Championship, which takes place from August 20–23, 2026, at the Bellerive Country Club.
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