Akshay Bhatia beat fellow American Daniel Berger on the primary sudden dying play-off gap to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando.
Berger, who had led for the reason that first spherical, bogeyed the par 4 18th as he missed a putt from seven toes, 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 beneath for the event, stage with Berger, who shot a 70.
“Everybody is aware of if you present as much as Bay Hill it may be a take a look at and to play one of many hardest golf programs,” mentioned Bhatia after profitable his first PGA Tour title for the reason that 2024 Texas Open, additionally gained by way of 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 lower 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 needed it to,” Berger mentioned. “However initially of the week should you instructed me I’d have an opportunity on the 18th gap to win Bay Hill, I’d be ecstatic with that. So a variety of positives, a variety of issues to study from.”
American Cameron Younger and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg have been tied for third place on 12 beneath, whereas world primary Scottie Scheffler carded a 73 to complete on two beneath in a tie for 23th.
England’s Harry Corridor was tied for ninth on eight beneath.
Northern Eire’s five-time main winner Rory McIlroy was compelled to withdraw earlier than the third spherical on Saturday due to again spasms.
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