Akshay Bhatia beat fellow American Daniel Berger on the primary sudden loss of life play-off gap to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando.
Berger, who had led because the first spherical, bogeyed the par 4 18th as he missed a putt from seven ft, whereas Bhatia made par to seal his third PGA Tour win.
Bhatia, 24, went into the ultimate spherical a shot behind Berger, however 4 birdies on the again 9 which included a 57ft putt on the par 4 eleventh plus an eagle on the par 5 sixteenth noticed him card a three-under par 69.
That put him on 15 underneath for the match, degree with Berger, who shot a 70.
“Everybody is aware of while you present as much as Bay Hill it should be a take a look at and to play one of many hardest golf programs,” mentioned Bhatia after profitable his first PGA Tour title because the 2024 Texas Open, additionally gained through a play-off. “And to succeed is admittedly cool.”
Berger, 32, who has not gained on the PGA Tour since 2021, led by 5 photographs after the second spherical.
However his lead was reduce to 1 on Sunday morning when the third spherical was accomplished, having been delayed due to darkness on Saturday.
“Clearly it did not go the way in which I wished it to,” Berger mentioned. “However at first of the week for those who instructed me I might have an opportunity on the 18th gap to win Bay Hill, I might be ecstatic with that. So a number of positives, a number of issues to be taught from.”
American Cameron Younger and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg had been tied for third place on 12 underneath, whereas world primary Scottie Scheffler carded a 73 to complete on two underneath in a tie for 23th.
England’s Harry Corridor was tied for ninth on eight underneath.
Northern Eire’s five-time main winner Rory McIlroy was pressured to withdraw earlier than the third spherical on Saturday due to again spasms.
