Golfer Akshay Bhatia Dedicates Third PGA Tour Victory to His Late Niece

Bhatia noticed a rainbow during the final hole, which he said reminded him of his niece Mia who passed away in 2025 at age 5.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Akshay Bhatia, a 24-year-old golfer, secured his third career win on the PGA Tour at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. During the final round, Bhatia noticed a rainbow, which he said reminded him of his late niece Mia, who passed away in December 2025 at the age of 5 after a battle with a rare metabolic disorder. Bhatia dedicated the victory to his niece, saying he felt she was watching over him.

Why it matters

Bhatia's emotional dedication of his win to his late niece Mia highlights the personal and human side of professional sports. Mia's tragic passing at a young age and Bhatia's desire to honor her memory through his success on the golf course resonates with many fans and shows the deeper meaning that athletic achievements can have.

The details

Bhatia, 24, secured his third career PGA Tour victory in a dramatic playoff over Daniel Berger at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida. During the final hole, Bhatia noticed a rainbow, which he said reminded him of his niece Mia, who had passed away in December 2025 at the age of 5 after a battle with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency (PDCD), a rare metabolic disorder. Bhatia said Mia was 'a fighter' who wasn't expected to live past her first birthday, but she was able to attend Bhatia's wedding just days before her passing.

  • Bhatia won the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 9, 2026.
  • Mia passed away in December 2025 at the age of 5.

The players

Akshay Bhatia

A 24-year-old professional golfer who secured his third career PGA Tour victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Mia

Bhatia's late niece who passed away in December 2025 at the age of 5 after a battle with a rare metabolic disorder called pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency (PDCD).

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What they’re saying

“I had my niece definitely watching over me, who passed away in December, and I thought when I saw that rainbow on 18, it reminded me of her.”

— Akshay Bhatia, Professional Golfer (People.com)

“She was a fighter for a long time. She wasn't supposed to make it past a year old.”

— Akshay Bhatia, Professional Golfer (People.com)

“It was the day of our wedding, she passed away. She didn't make it.”

— Akshay Bhatia, Professional Golfer (People.com)

The takeaway

Bhatia's emotional dedication of his PGA Tour victory to his late niece Mia serves as a poignant reminder of the personal struggles and tragedies that professional athletes often face, and how they can find meaning and inspiration in their successes to honor the memory of loved ones.