Akshay Bhatia denies Berger in playoff to win Arnold Palmer Invitational | PGA Tour
A simple conclusion to the Arnold Palmer Invitational is seemingly impossible. Palmer himself would approve, although tournament events still played in tribute to a golf icon can sometimes seem macabre. This, the Florida swing, is the most trying time on the PGA Tour. Fame came to Akshay Bhatia after a sudden death in competition with Daniel Berger. Bhatia, 24, a charismatic left-hander, will bounce back to Sawgrass and Thursday’s Players Championship.
A year after Collin Morikawa suffered a painful trip at Bay Hill, Berger was dragged into the unlikeliest of falls by Bhatia. Berger led by four at Sunday’s turn. Bhatia fought back, with four birdies in a row. Berger again ensured some breathing room at the 15th, where Bhatia’s missed attempt at par came after officials had asked both men to pick up the pace. Game over? No way. Bhatia made a wonderful approach to the par-five 16th, placing eagle which reduced Berger’s advantage to one. The shot of the day? It was a photo from the tournament. The pair were tied on the 18th tee after Berger holed a triple putt on the penultimate hole.
What happened next involved great theater. Berger finally found a big rough, from where he could only chip to the green. Bhatia was in a prime position on the fairway but flirted with the rocks at the edge of the green and the water hazard. Bhatia broke the stone with cannonballs. Berger, who previously had the tournament in the palm of his hand, had 14 feet to force the playoffs. That’s exactly what he did with 15 under par, the best score through 72 holes.
Berger was in trouble again. He reached the green but had 99 feet to go. It was three-putt territory; as it turned out. Bhatia’s two putts from 25 feet secured the biggest victory of his career. For Berger, who was looking to become the first wire-to-wire winner of the Arnold Palmer in a decade, this will sting.
Ludvig Åberg’s 67 allows him to share third place with Cameron Young at 12 under. Morikawa entered the discussion again, this time finishing fifth. He finally fired a shot, evoking a sad smile and memories of 2025.
Rickie Fowler gave a glimpse of a return to better times with a top-10 finish. England’s Harry Hall joined Fowler at eight under. A quiet week for world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler ended with a 73 for a two-under total. Robert MacIntyre’s 70 meant he matched Scheffler’s total.
