Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (2026) — Top 10 (incl ties)
1 Akshay Bhatia -15 273
2 Daniel Berger -15 273
T3 Ludvig Åberg -12 276
T3 Cameron Young -12 276
5 Collin Morikawa -11 277
T6 Sahith Theegala -10 278
T6 Russell Henley -10 278
T6 Min Woo Lee -10 278
T9 Harry Hall -8 280
T9 Rickie Fowler -8 280At the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, Akshay Bhatia pulled off one of the greatest comeback stories in recent PGA Tour history, overcoming a five-shot deficit to tie Daniel Berger and then win the play-off at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.
Bhatia won his third PGA Tour event and earned a $4 million first prize for his clutch par on the first play-off hole.
Berger Loses Five-Stroke Lead on Moving Day
For 72 holes, the Arnold Palmer Invitational belonged to Daniel Berger. He looked likely to add another trophy to his collection at one of the most historic and difficult venues in golf. Berger’s iron striking was sharp, his putting was solid, and his course management on Bay Hill was spotless.
But Bay Hill always seems to create some last-minute drama when it counts. And for Berger, it did. Berger’s Sunday started out well, but after a few missteps, the Bay Hill demons took control. Meanwhile, Akshay Bhatia began his Sunday assault.
Bhatia Charges Late
Bhatia’s Sunday was nothing less than phenomenal. As Berger laboured to hold onto a lead under the pressure, Bhatia attacked every pin and made the big putts when he needed to. Bhatia’s aggressive style, which has defined his young career, was the exact medicine Bay Hill needed to quiet the intimidator.
“I think I just kept being patient and trying to make birdies,” Bhatia explained in his post-tournament interview. “I knew the course would give us some opportunities, and I knew Daniel would feel some pressure. I just had to be ready at the end.”
It was on the back nine that Bhatia strung together a number of birdies that electrified the gallery and sent a clear message to Berger that he was no longer the lone hunter. This was all magnified, by the shot of the year to date, his 6 iron approach to the 16th was sensational and resulted in an eagle on the Par 5. By the time they reached the 18th tee in regulation, Berger’s five-shot advantage had vanished, and the tournament was destined for extra holes.
The Play-Off at Bay Hill
Like the rest of the day, the play-off was a microcosm of the entire final round. Berger, who had controlled the tournament for so long, could not find the magic that propelled him through the first 70 holes. Bhatia, however, played the part of the veteran champion perfectly, hitting the fairway with his drive and setting up a makeable birdie chance.
Berger’s approach wound up in trouble, and he made a double-bogey. Bhatia’s straightforward par was good enough to secure his victory and complete the most thrilling come-from-behind victory of the year so far.
Other Players of Note
Whilst the Bhatia-Berger battle stole the show, there were many other notable performances worth noting. Ludvig Åberg continued his strong play with a tie for third place at 12-under par. Åberg’s string of top-five finishes on the PGA Tour in 2026 continues, and he is becoming increasingly viewed as a contender for his first major championship title.
Sahith Theegala also had a great showing with a 10-under-par total. Theegala’s consistent play has made him one of the Tour’s most dependable players, and his ability to perform well at Bay Hill is indicative of how much his game is improving.
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number-one player, had a disappointing week. Scheffler finished at 2-under par, which is not what he would have expected from a player of his calibre. However, his participation in the tournament lent a level of star quality to an already intriguing event.
Additionally, Rory McIlroy withdrew on Saturday, serving as a reminder that even the best players in the game are susceptible to the physical wear and tear that comes with being a touring professional, his doubt in participating in the players has diminished a little, but let’s see if he tees it up. The Masters will be clearly on his mind.
Looking Forward
For Bhatia, this victory represents something much larger than just another trophy and a lot of money. This victory shows that Bhatia has the ability to compete at the highest levels, and that his aggressive, fearless style can succeed on the largest stages. Having three PGA Tour titles before reaching his 25th birthday sets up a bright future for Bhatia, including potential major championships and Ryder Cup appearances in the coming years.
Now the PGA Tour heads to THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass, where Bhatia will bring significant momentum into golf’s unofficial fifth major. Bhatia’s ability to remain calm under pressure, make the big putts, and deliver when it really matters most puts him squarely in the mix to contend on any course, against any field.
Berger will undoubtedly feel the sting of losing, but the fact that he played 54 holes of the best golf of his life suggests that he is still capable of competing at the highest levels. Berger needs to figure out how to turn his next opportunity into a win.
Bay Hill, once again, lived up to its reputation as one of the PGA Tour’s favourite and most demanding courses, providing plenty of drama, heartache, and ultimately, a deserving champion in Akshay Bhatia.
Updated P&L — Arnold Palmer Invitational (from our Preview)
Tips (from preview): McIlroy 15/2, Fleetwood 12/1, Lowry 25/1. (12 places E/W market per preview.)
Finishes: McIlroy WD, Fleetwood 49th, Lowry CUT.
Returns
Rory McIlroy 15/2 — £1 E/W — WD
Returned: £0.00 | P/L: -£2.00Tommy Fleetwood 12/1 — £1 E/W — 49th
Returned: £0.00 | P/L: -£2.00Shane Lowry 25/1 — £1 E/W — CUT
Returned: £0.00 | P/L: -£2.00
Totals
Total staked: £6.00
Total returned: £0.00
Net P/L: -£6.00
Carry-over / Running season P&L update
Using the last published running total (after Cognizant): +£30.60.
This week (API): -£6.00
Season total: +£24.60