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Akshay Bhatia Wins Arnold Palmer Invitational in Playoff Over Daniel Berger

The signature event’s rain-altered setup turned a runaway into a playoff.

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Mar 6, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Rory McIlroy plays his shot from the first tee during the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 05: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the tenth green during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 2026 at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course on March 05, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Bhatia closed with a 3-under 69 and beat Berger with a par on the first extra hole, finishing at 15-under 273 for his third PGA Tour title, all won in playoffs.
  • Berger’s big advantage evaporated after a rain-delayed, suspended third round; he still forced a playoff with an up-and-down par at 18 after missing a 7-foot par putt on 17.
  • Saturday’s heavy rain softened Bay Hill’s greens and pushed the third round into Sunday, shifting scoring conditions and tightening the leaderboard.
  • Rory McIlroy withdrew about 30 minutes before his third-round tee time due to lower-back muscle spasms, calling it a precaution with the Players and his Masters title defense ahead.
  • Justin Thomas, competing for the first time since lower-back surgery, struggled with consecutive 79s and finished last at 14-over in the no-cut, $20 million event.