Akshay Bhatia Stages Stunning Comeback To Claim Arnold Palmer Invitational Title
ORLANDO, FL-Pushed to five shots behind the leader with nine holes to go, Indian American Akshay Bhatia staged one of the finest comebacks in recent memory to force a play-off at 15-under at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
He then beat Daniel Berger on the first extra hole to win his biggest title.
Another Indian American, Sahith Theegala, also had a strong showing this week as he finished T-6. After a difficult third round in which the 28-year-old carded 3-over 75, he rallied with a strong final round of 6-under 66 to finish the week with a score of 10-under par.
The 24-year-old Bhatia played boldly, as once said by Palmer, to make a great charge on the back nine that included four birdies in a row from the tenth and an eagle on the 16th to force a play-off at 15-under. He then won the first play-off hole to claim the $20 million Signature event.
Bhatia was still two shots behind with three holes to play when he hit a 6-iron close to the pin on the dangerous par-5 16th to set up an eagle that brought him within one.
“If he was up there watching, he’s probably pretty proud of how that finished,” said Bhatia, wearing the red cardigan that goes to the winner of Palmer’s tournament.
“Play bold, I think that was a big thing everyone knows of Mr. Palmer,” he said. “I could feel that energy and buzz. It was awesome. I’m very fortunate to win this tournament.”
Bhatia also took on the flag over the rock-framed water on the 18th in regulation and nearly pulled it off. He closed with a 3-under 69 and won his third PGA Tour title, all of them in playoffs.
The win moves Bhatia into the top 20 in the world at the start of a big stretch in golf that concludes with the Masters next month.
Berger had a four-shot lead at the turn but lost ground after missing a 7-foot par putt on the 17th hole. He finished with a 70 for 15-under 273.
Berger pulled his drive in the playoff but did well to reach the front edge of the green about 106 feet away. He rolled to 7 feet below the hole, but the par putt to extend the playoff missed.
Bhatia played to the center of the green and took two putts from just inside 30 feet for the win and the $4 million prize as he had some of “Arnie’s Army” on his side down the stretch.
Bhatia started the back nine with four straight birdies, one of them from just inside 60 feet on the 11th hole. There was also a two-shot swing at the 13th.
On the par-5 16th he played the biggest shot after his caddie Joe Greiner told him, “Just try to hit the best 6-iron of your life.”
Berger was trying to become the first wire-to-wire winner at Bay Hill in 10 years.
Bhatia and Berger returned on the morning of March 8 to finish the third round. Berger had a three-shot lead until the 18th hole, when he made bogey from the right rough and Bhatia made birdie when his 10-foot putt hung on the lip for just under 10 seconds before dropping.(IANS)
