Akshay Bhatia lands PGA Tour hat-trick with Arnold Palmer Invitational win

Akshay Bhatia defeated Daniel Berger in a playoff to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. 

Bhatia, 24, two-putted for par from 30 feet and the win on the first extra hole (par-4 18th) after Berger three-putted for bogey from 60 feet. 

Bhatia becomes the eighth player in the history of the PGA Tour to win his first three events all in playoffs. 

He now moves to second behind Collin Morikawa in the FedEx Cup standings. 

The left-handed American looked down and out as he made the turn following bogeys on 6 and 9.

But Bhatia bounced back magnificently around the turn with four straight birdies from the 9th to haul himself within two shots of Berger's lead.

Bhatia then reduced the deficit to one shot when making a stunning eagle from two feet on the par-5 17th, and he was soon level when Berger clumsily three-jabbed for bogey from 30 feet on the par-3 17th.

Berger then forced extra holes with Bhatia when making a gutsy 15-footer for par on the par-4 18th.

But Bhatia wasted little time in sealing the deal back down the same hole moments later. 

Berger three-putted from 60 feet for bogey, while Bhatia two-putted from 30 feet for par and the win. 

It marked the first playoff at the Arnold Palmer Invitational since 1999 when Tim Herron defeated Tom Lehman. 

Bhatia wins $4m for winning the $20m Arnold Palmer Invitational - see the full prize money payouts from Bay Hill. 

The Arnold Palmer Invitational marked the third Signature Event of the 2026 PGA Tour season.

Bhatia is now a three-time PGA Tour winner having also won the 2023 Baracuda Championship and 2024 Valero Texas Open. 

After the tournament, Bhatia dedicated the win to his niece, who sadly passed away in December. 

"I played with some anger on the back nine, that putt on 11 was a huge bonus for me and it gave me some good momentum," said Bhatia.

"I hit a great shot on 16, it was probably the best 6-iron of my life. 

"Daniel played amazing, this game has been so crazy. You just never know what can happen in this game." 

"It's amazing, to be part of Mastercard is pretty cool too. To win for Mr Palmer, what he's done for this community and this tournament.

"My niece passed away in December, so knew she was looking over me this year and I made this win for her for sure." 

On missing out on a fifth PGA Tour title after coming back from injury, a dejected Berger said: "I'm proud of myself but obviously it didn't go the way I wanted today. But if you told me I had a chance to win at the start of the week, I'd have taken that.

"My game is sharp, need to clean a few things up. It's tough to win, tough to battle, and a shot here and there was the difference."

The big consolation for Berger, aside from his $2.2m runner-up prize, was becoming eligible for The Open at Royal Birkdale in July. The four-time PGA Tour winner takes the spot in the field as Bhatia was already exempt in the field. 

Ludvig Aberg and Cameron Young shared third place on 12-under par, while Collin Morikawa rounded out the top five on 11-under par.