Akshay Bhatia Forces Sudden Death Playoff and Claims Third-Career Win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 8, 2026) – Akshay Bhatia started his final round just one-stroke behind then-leader Daniel Berger and after nine holes, faced an uphill battle as Berger’s lead extended to five strokes as the pair made the turn following Bhatia’s bogey on the ninth.
 
He then flipped a switch.
 
Bhatia scorched the back nine, carding five birdies and an eagle to force sudden death where he sank a par putt on the first playoff hole to win his third PGA TOUR event and first Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.
 
One might even say the win was a priceless experience for the Mastercard ambassador, his first since the 2024 Valero Open.
 
“I mean, definitely played bold. I think that was a big thing that everyone knows of Mr. Palmer, and it was really cool,” Bhatia said. “I could feel the energy and the buzz. It was awesome. I’m very fortunate to win this tournament. I know the magnitude of this golf tournament… it was just, it was really special and 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’s eagle on the par-5 16th, combined with Berger’s bogey on the par-3 17th, ultimately sent the two into the playoff where Bhatia rolled in a four-foot putt on 18 to earn the coveted red cardigan.
 
“I think [No. 16] was 193 yards or 191, and the wind laid down. It was a perfect 6-iron,” remembered Bhatia. “Joe [Greiner, Bhatia’s caddie] said, ‘you know, just hit one of the best 6-irons of your life right here,’ and I did. I pushed it, you know, the professional push, as we call it, and it landed, you know, a couple feet from the hole, went up to three feet, and that was a huge bonus to go from a couple back to just one back.”
 
This was the first playoff at Bay Hill Club & Lodge since Tim Herron defeated Tom Lehman in 1999, and the seventh (eighth overall) since the tournament moved to Bay Hill in 1979. This also marks the longest playoff-drought of all the tournaments on the current PGA TOUR schedule.
 
“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. I know he (Arnold Palmer) was up there watching and probably pretty proud of how that finish was for this week,” said Bhatia. “And yeah, just super fun. The fans were right there with me, which was really cool. It felt like Arnie’s Army for me. So, yeah, very blessed.”
 
“I love the big moments. I think that’s what I play for,” Bhatia said through a smile. “And you just can’t shy away from it when you’re trying to win big golf tournaments.”
 
All three of Bhatia’s PGA TOUR wins have come in a playoff where he won on the first playoff hole.
 
Other notable finishes include T-3 for Cameron Young, another Mastercard ambassador, and T-47 for amateur Daniel Bennett, the 2026 Arnold Palmer Cup Exemption. Ludvig Aberg sank six birdies today to finish T-3 with Young at -12, and Collin Morikawa closed out the top-five at 11-under for the tournament.