24 year old Indian American phenomenon Akshay Bhatia claimed the biggest victory of his career with a playoff win at the prestigious US$20 million Arnold Palmer Invitational, the third Signature event of the season at Bay Hill in Florida.
Akshay Bhatia’s career wins:
2026 API in a playoff
2024 Valero Texas Open in a playoff
2023 Barracuda Championship in a playoff
pic.twitter.com/iF3JlEZzvU— Underdog Golf (@UnderdogGolf) March 8, 2026
He carded rounds of 70-66-68-69 to finish at 15 under, before defeating the seasoned American, Daniel Berger in a playoff to secure his third PGA Tour title. All three of Bhatia’s victories on the PGA Tour have now come in playoffs, giving him a perfect 3–0 record.
Bhatia began the final round one shot behind Berger, who held a four shot lead with nine holes to play. The Los Angeles based Bhatia surged back into contention with four consecutive birdies from the 10th hole, before producing a decisive moment with an eagle at the par five 16th to draw level.
Both players finished tied at 15 under, sending the Arnold Palmer Invitational into its first playoff since 1999. Berger made bogey on the playoff hole, while Bhatia secured victory with a two putt par.
Bhatia’s short game proved crucial during the week as he gained 16.3 strokes around the greens and putting, the highest short game gain recorded in a PGA Tour victory during the ShotLink era.
Through six starts this season, Bhatia has made four cuts, including a T-3 finish at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, and currently sits 2nd in the FedEx Cup standings.
Sahith Theegala, the other Indian-origin player in the field, carded rounds of 70-67-75-66 to register a T-6 finish at 10-under 278, his best so far this season to move to 17th on the FedEx Cup rankings.
Photo – PGA Tour/Getty Images
