Akshay Bhatia Outduels Daniel Berger to Win Arnold Palmer Invitational ORLANDO, Fla. -- Akshay Bhatia missed a 30-inch par putt to fall five shots behind Sunday in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, angry enough to want to do something about it. What followed was a charge on the back nine at Bay Hill that would have made the King proud. "You must play boldly to win," was one of Palmer's famous quotes. Bhatia was every bit of that. Four straight birdies got him into the mix. Two shots behind with three to play, he hit a 6-iron to a dangerous pin on the par-5 16th that nearly went into the cup on the second bounce and set up a short eagle to stay in the game. And then he outlasted Daniel Berger in the first playoff at Bay Hill since 1999 -- three years before Bhatia was born -- to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational in a stunning comeback. "If he was up there watching, he's probably pretty proud of how that finished," said Bhatia, wearing the red cardigan that goes to the winner of Palmer's tournament. "Play bold -- I think that was a big thing everyone knows of Mr. Palmer," he said. "I could feel that energy and buzz. It was awesome. I'm very fortunate to win this tournament." Bhatia, who also took on the flag over the rock-framed water on the 18th in regulation and nearly pulled it off, closed with a 3-under 69 and won his third PGA Tour title, all of them in playoffs. This was the biggest, a $20 million signature event that moves the 24-year-old into the top 20 in the world at the start of a big stretch in golf that concludes with the Masters next month. Berger looked like he had this won, walking confidently after shots in building a four-shot lead at the turn.#arnold_palmer_invitational #bay_hill #pga_tour #daniel_berger #akshay_bhatia
The unusual heartbreak of Daniel Berger's Arnold Palmer loss Daniel Berger finished second at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in a playoff, marking a moment of intense frustration after a grueling battle for the title. For much of the tournament, Berger had been in control, leading the field since his opening-round 63 on Thursday. But on the final hole, the pressure mounted as his playing partner, Akshay Bhatia, emerged as a serious contender. Berger faced a critical moment on the 72nd hole, where a 13-foot par putt became a defining test of his resolve. After sinking the putt to secure a share of the lead, Berger erupted in a rare display of emotion, throwing fist pumps and shouting into the crowd—a stark contrast to his typically reserved demeanor. The victory for Berger was bittersweet, as it came after nearly a decade of struggle. He had spent 27 months sidelined by injuries between late 2021 and early 2026, battling back from back and finger injuries that had plagued his career. By the time he reached Bay Hill, he was at the peak of his physical and mental capabilities, determined to reclaim his place on the PGA Tour. Yet, the tournament’s final moments proved to be a cruel twist. Bhatia made his own par putt to force a playoff, setting up a tense showdown on the 18th hole. The first playoff hole tested both players’ composure. Bhatia delivered a flawless drive down the center of the fairway, while Berger’s approach was far less impressive. His drive veered into the rough, leaving him with a long shot to the green. Bhatia, meanwhile, executed a brilliant iron shot to the fat part of the green, setting up a short par putt. Berger’s lag putt on the 18th hole was solid, leaving just under 8 feet for par, but the Tour’s make-rate from that distance was uncertain.#arnold_palmer_invitational #bay_hill #daniel_berger #akshay_bhatia #smylie_kaufman
