Bhatia rallies from 5 down to win Bay Hill

The 24-year-old overcomes 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, rallied from 5 shots down on the final day to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational in a playoff against Daniel Berger. Bhatia made four straight birdies on the back nine to get back in contention, then hit a clutch 6-iron shot on the par-5 16th hole that nearly went in for eagle to stay in the game. He eventually prevailed in the playoff to win his third PGA Tour title, all of which have come in playoffs.

Why it matters

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of the PGA Tour's signature events, offering a $20 million purse. Bhatia's come-from-behind victory, which channeled the bold spirit of Arnold Palmer, will propel the 24-year-old into the top 20 in the world rankings and set him up for a big stretch of golf leading into the Masters next month.

The details

Bhatia fell 5 shots behind on Sunday after missing a short par putt, but he responded with four straight birdies on the back nine to get back in contention. He then hit a brilliant 6-iron shot on the par-5 16th that nearly went in the hole for eagle, allowing him to stay within 2 shots of the lead. Bhatia and Berger finished regulation tied at 15-under par, leading to a playoff. In the playoff, Berger pulled his drive into the rough, while Bhatia found the fairway. Bhatia two-putted from just inside 30 feet for the win and the $4 million first-place prize.

  • Bhatia fell 5 shots behind on Sunday after missing a short par putt.
  • Bhatia made four straight birdies on the back nine to get back in contention.
  • Bhatia hit a 6-iron shot on the par-5 16th that nearly went in the hole for eagle.
  • Bhatia and Berger finished regulation tied at 15-under par, leading to a playoff.
  • Bhatia two-putted from just inside 30 feet in the playoff for the win.

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 ultimately lost to Bhatia in the playoff.

Arnold Palmer

The legendary golfer whose tournament, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bhatia won in dramatic fashion.

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What they’re saying

“'You must play boldly to win,'”

— Arnold Palmer

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

— Akshay Bhatia, PGA Tour player

“'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, PGA Tour player

What’s next

Bhatia's victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational will move him into the top 20 in the world rankings, setting him up for a big stretch of golf leading into the Masters next month.

The takeaway

Bhatia's come-from-behind victory, which channeled the bold spirit of Arnold Palmer, demonstrates the power of perseverance and the ability to overcome adversity in professional golf. His dramatic rally and playoff win will inspire golf fans and serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of the King of Golf.