Akshay Bhatia delivered one of the most memorable finishes at Bay Hill in recent years, storming back Sunday to win the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard in a sudden-death playoff.
Bhatia began the final round just one stroke behind leader Daniel Berger, but the momentum appeared to shift firmly toward Berger by the turn. A bogey on the ninth hole left Bhatia facing a five-shot deficit heading into the back nine as Berger continued to build his advantage.
Then Bhatia flipped the script.
The 24-year-old caught fire over the closing stretch at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, carding five birdies and an eagle on the back nine to erase Berger’s lead. The decisive moment came on the par-5 16th, where Bhatia drained an eagle after a near-perfect approach shot.
“I think [No. 16] was 193 yards or 191, and the wind laid down. It was a perfect 6-iron,” Bhatia said. “Joe [Greiner, Bhatia’s caddie] said, ‘just hit one of the best 6-irons of your life right here,’ and I did.”
The shot landed just a few feet from the hole, setting up the eagle that helped pull Bhatia back into contention.
Playoff Drama at Bay Hill
The late surge, combined with Berger’s bogey on the par-3 17th, pushed the tournament into sudden death at the 18th hole.
On the first playoff hole, Bhatia calmly rolled in a four-foot par putt to secure the victory and claim the tournament’s iconic red cardigan, awarded annually to the champion.
“I mean, definitely played bold,” Bhatia said. “I think that was a big thing that everyone knows of Mr. Palmer, and it was really cool. I could feel the energy and the buzz. It was awesome.”
The victory marked Bhatia’s third career PGA Tour win and his first since the 2024 Valero Texas Open. Remarkably, all three of his PGA Tour victories have come in playoffs, each won on the first extra hole.
Sunday’s finish was also historic for the event itself. It was the first playoff at Bay Hill since 1999, when Tim Herron defeated Tom Lehman, ending the longest playoff drought among current PGA Tour tournaments.
Bhatia finished the week at 15-under-par with rounds of 70-66-68-69
Arnie’s Army Powers Bhatia to Victory
Winning at Bay Hill carries special significance across the golf world, and Bhatia acknowledged the weight of the moment after securing the title.
“Everyone knows when you show up to this tournament how hard it is, an elite field, obviously, and just very honored to win his event,” Bhatia said. “I know he was up there watching and probably pretty proud of how that finish was for this week.”
The young star also credited the fans – famously known as Arnie’s Army – for helping fuel his late-round comeback.
“I think the coolest part of today is just the fans. Arnie’s Army was out there for me and it was really, really cool,” Bhatia said. “It felt like Arnie’s Army for me.”
Emotional Tribute Adds Meaning to Bhatia’s Bay Hill Victory
As Bhatia celebrated his dramatic victory Sunday at Bay Hill, a rainbow appearing in the sky above the course added an emotional layer to the moment.
“I had my niece definitely watching over me,” Bhatia said. “When I saw that rainbow on 18, it reminded me of her.”
Bhatia was referring to his niece, Mia, who passed away in December at just six years old after battling pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency (PDCD), a rare genetic disease that is often fatal in early childhood. Doctors initially did not expect Mia to survive beyond her first birthday, but she lived six years, something Bhatia described as a testament to her strength.
“She was a fighter for a long time,” Bhatia said.
Mia’s passing came during an especially emotional time for the Bhatia family. In mid-December, family members had gathered at The Abaco Club in the Bahamas for Bhatia’s wedding to his wife, Presleigh. On the morning of their wedding day, Dec. 13, Mia passed away in one of the club’s residences, known as “Heaven on Earth.”
Presleigh later described the moment as both heartbreaking and peaceful.
“The night before, she was surrounded by everyone who loved her wrapped in peace, comfort, and so much love,” she said. “It was heartbreaking, beautiful, and impossible to fully understand all at once. She was strong, joyful, and deeply loved.”
From afar, Bhatia believes Mia may have been watching as he delivered the stunning back-nine rally that defined the tournament. He shot 5-under-par 31 on the back nine, overcoming a five-shot deficit to Daniel Berger before ultimately winning in a playoff.
“I told my sister, you know, I’ve been thinking about her for a long time after she passed,” Bhatia said. “And dedicated this win for her.”
Leaderboard Highlights
While Bhatia ultimately lifted the trophy, several other contenders made strong pushes throughout the final round.
Cameron Young and Ludvig Åberg both finished tied for third at 12-under-par, with Åberg recording six birdies in the final round. Collin Morikawa rounded out the top five at 11-under for the tournament.
Another notable storyline came from Daniel Bennett, the 2026 Arnold Palmer Cup Exemption, who finished tied for 47th while competing as an amateur.
For Bhatia, however, the spotlight belonged entirely to him on Sunday as he embraced the pressure and delivered when it mattered most.
“I love the big moments,” Bhatia said. “I think that’s what I play for. And you just can’t shy away from it when you’re trying to win big golf tournaments.”
Akshay Bhatia Beats Daniel Berger in Playoff to Win Arnold Palmer Invitational