Arnold Palmer Invitational: Akshay Bhatia snatches play-off PGA Tour win after Daniel Berger blows big lead at Bay Hill

Akshay Bhatia produced a remarkable back-nine fightback to snatch victory from Daniel Berger in a dramatic finish to the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

Berger looked in pole position to close out a wire-to-wire victory and claim a first PGA Tour win since 2021, with the American holding a four-shot lead with nine holes to play at Bay Hill Club and Lodge.

Bhatia was a further shot back at the turn but raced back into contention with four consecutive birdies from the 10th, while a stunning eagle at the par-five 16th pulled him level when Berger bogeyed the next.

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Daniel Berger narrowly missed out on a first PGA Tour win since February 2021

Both made par at the last to finish on 15 under and force the Signature Event into its first play-off since 1999, where Berger made bogey to allow Bhatia to complete his third PGA Tour title with a two-putt par.

Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg ended three strokes back in tied-third alongside Cameron Young, while Collin Morikawa claimed fifth place ahead of Sahith Theegala and Russell Henley.

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What’s next?

The PGA Tour stays in Florida for The Players at TPC Sawgrass, its flagship event, where Rory McIlroy returns as defending champion and Scottie Scheffler looks to win the event for a third time in four years.

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