Orlando, Florida – Akshay Bhatia starred in an exciting moment at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, patiently waiting for his putt to take the final turn and fall for birdie on Sunday morning. This crucial play allowed him to reduce Daniel Berger’s lead to a single stroke, in a tournament affected by delays due to rain.
The third round, suspended due to lack of light because of the rain, was completed with two additional holes. Berger, after a 35-foot putt, achieved a birdie on the 16th hole (par 5), consolidating a three-stroke lead.
However, on the 18th hole, Berger’s tee shot veered into the rough, forcing him to play cautiously. Although he managed an approach to 10 feet, he missed the putt for par, finishing with a 72.
Bhatia, for his part, maintained the tension until the last moment. His putt for birdie stopped at the edge of the hole. After a dramatic pause, the ball finally fell, sealing a 68.
Berger stayed at 13 under par (203), and both golfers prepared for the final showdown on Sunday afternoon.
Cameron Young, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka were four strokes off the lead, anticipating a final round full of possibilities. The greens at Bay Hill are known for being the firmest and fastest on the Florida circuit. In five of the last six tournaments at Bay Hill, the winner was decided by a single stroke.
