Akshay Bhatia chases down Daniel Berger at Bay Hill

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Akshay Bhatia, who has dramatically improved his putting over the past two seasons, shot a blistering back nine at the Arnold Palmer Invitational to catch Daniel Berger and force a playoff, which Bhatia went on to win. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler struggled throughout the tournament.

Why it matters

Bhatia's comeback victory at a prestigious PGA Tour event like the Arnold Palmer Invitational showcases his rapid development as a professional golfer, especially his transformation into one of the tour's best putters after previously struggling on the greens. Scheffler's poor performance, on the other hand, is surprising given his recent dominance and could raise questions about the state of his game.

The details

Bhatia, who switched to a broomstick-style putter in the fall of 2023, led the field in putting at Bay Hill this week, which helped keep him in contention despite shaky driving. On the back nine on Sunday, he made four birdies and an eagle, including holing two 8-footers, an 11-footer, and a 58-foot bomb. His clutch putting and a 6-iron "shot of his life" for a tap-in eagle at the 16th hole allowed him to catch Berger and force a playoff, which he went on to win.

• Bhatia switched to a broomstick-style putter in the fall of 2023.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Bhatia's victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational will likely boost his confidence and profile on the PGA Tour, potentially setting him up for more success in the coming months. Scheffler's struggles, meanwhile, will be closely watched to see if they were a one-off or indicative of larger issues with his game.