Akshay Bhatia rallies from 5 down to win Bay Hill

The 24-year-old golfer overcame a big deficit to capture the Arnold Palmer Invitational title in a playoff

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Akshay Bhatia, a 24-year-old PGA Tour player, staged a remarkable comeback at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, rallying from 5 shots down on the final day to win the tournament in a playoff against Daniel Berger. Bhatia made four straight birdies on the back nine and nearly holed a 6-iron shot on the par-5 16th hole to set up an eagle, helping him force a playoff. He then outlasted Berger in the extra hole to claim his third PGA Tour title, all of which have come in playoffs.

Why it matters

Bhatia's come-from-behind victory at the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational, a $20 million event, marks a significant milestone in the young golfer's career. The win propels him into the top 20 in the world rankings and sets him up for a strong stretch of events leading into the Masters next month.

The details

Bhatia was 5 shots behind Berger heading into the final round, but he quickly erased the deficit with four straight birdies to start the back nine. On the par-5 16th, Bhatia hit a remarkable 6-iron shot that nearly went in the hole, setting up a short eagle putt to keep him in contention. The two players finished regulation tied at 15-under par, forcing a playoff. On the first playoff hole, Berger pulled his drive into the rough and was unable to save par, allowing Bhatia to two-putt for the win and the $4 million first-place prize.

  • Bhatia and Berger returned Sunday morning to finish the third round, with Berger holding a 3-shot lead.
  • Bhatia made four straight birdies to start the back nine on Sunday.
  • Bhatia's 6-iron shot on the par-5 16th hole in regulation nearly went in the cup.
  • Bhatia and Berger finished regulation tied at 15-under par, forcing a playoff.
  • Bhatia won the playoff on the first extra hole.

The players

Akshay Bhatia

A 24-year-old PGA Tour player who rallied from 5 shots down to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational in a playoff.

Daniel Berger

A PGA Tour player who held a 4-shot lead on the front nine but was unable to hold on, finishing runner-up to Bhatia.

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What they’re saying

“'You must play boldly to win,' was one of Palmer's famous quotes.”

— Akshay Bhatia (Associated Press)

“'If he was up there watching, he's probably pretty proud of how that finished.'”

— Akshay Bhatia (Associated Press)

“'Play bold — I think that was a big thing everyone knows of Mr. Palmer. I could feel that energy and buzz. It was awesome. I'm very fortunate to win this tournament.'”

— Akshay Bhatia (Associated Press)

“'It's tough to win. It's tough to battle. But I feel like I did a good job, and a shot here or there was the difference.'”

— Daniel Berger (Associated Press)

What’s next

Bhatia's victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational sets him up for a strong stretch of events leading into the Masters next month, where he will look to continue his impressive play.

The takeaway

Bhatia's come-from-behind victory at the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational, overcoming a 5-shot deficit on the final day, showcases his mental toughness and ability to perform under pressure. The win will undoubtedly boost his confidence and profile as he prepares for the upcoming major championship season.