Akshay Bhatia has paid tribute to his late niece after he staged an incredible comeback to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Florida on Sunday. The American revealed that he lost his six-year-old niece in 2025. Bhatia defeated Daniel Berger in a sudden-death playoff after both players finished regulation play tied at 15-under par.
Bhatia Stages Incredible Comeback at Bay Hill
Bhatia faced a difficult final round at Bay Hill and started just one stroke behind leader Daniel Berger. He trailed Berger by five shots during the back nine after a bogey on the ninth hole. Berger continued to build on his advantage as the tournament appeared to slip away from Bhatia, but the 24-year-old mounted an impressive comeback in the closing holes, making several birdies and a crucial eagle on the 16th hole. His strong finish erased Berger’s lead and pushed the tournament into a playoff.
Also read: Justin Thomas Struggling Badly at Bay Hill
Both players returned to the 18th hole in the playoff, where Berger struggled with his putting and Bhatia stayed calm under pressure. He secured a par while Berger bogeyed to hand Bhatia the biggest win of his career. After the round, Bhatia revealed that he had been thinking about his niece Mia throughout the tournament. Mia was six when she passed away in December 2025 after battling a rare disease.
Mia suffered from pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency (PDCD), a genetic condition that prevents the body from producing enough energy. Doctors initially believed she would not live beyond her first birthday, but she courageously battled the illness for six years.
Bhatia Dedicated Victory To Late Niece, Mia
Bhatia revealed that he saw a rainbow on the 18th hole and thought of Mia. The 24-year-old spoke about how much she meant to him and his family.
“I had my niece definitely watching over me,” Bhatia said. When I saw that rainbow on 18, it reminded me of her. I made this win for her, for sure. Her name is Mia, she was diagnosed with a pretty rare disease and, you know, she was a fighter for a long time. She wasn’t supposed to make it past a year old and the coolest thing about it was, she was there at our wedding. It was really hard for her to travel… the day of our wedding she passed away and didn’t make it…So I told my sister I’ve been thinking about her for a long time since she passed, and I dedicated this win to her.
Bhatia has now won three PGA Tour events, including the Barracuda Championship (2023) and the Valero Texas Open (2024). His victory at Bay Hill adds another significant milestone to his career.
Main Photo Credit: © Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
