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<\/p>\nAkshay Bhatia cut Daniel Berger\u2019s lead at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational with a score of 15-under 69 in the final round. But were things a bit awkward between the two in the last couple of holes?<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t paying attention to what they were saying,\u201d Bhatia told the media at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge. \u201cI heard a lot of people say, you know, McDonald\u2019s or whatever.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Events like the Arnold Palmer Invitational are known for attracting passionate crowds, with the highest footfall on Sundays. And that crowd energy can sometimes turn foul. But it\u2019s a part of the game that golfers can\u2019t avoid.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, yeah, it\u2019s part of the game. It\u2019s fun, and this is what we play for. We play for to be in big crowds and big moments and you can\u2019t shy away from that.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Berger and Bhatia had two holes to play in the third round when the game was halted by darkness after a brief pause due to rain. On the par-5 16th, Berger got a three-shot lead by two-putting from 35 feet for a birdie. However, he ended up in the rough on the 18th. He missed the par putt to complete an even-par 72.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Bhatia dropped a birdie in the final hole for a 68 in the third round. Finally, in the fourth round, Akshay Bhatia made an eagle to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And looking back at his time on the course, there were a few things that the fans said that stuck out for Bhatia.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone was rooting me on,\u201d Bhatia said. \u201cI\u2019ve never experienced that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He admitted that he\u2019s experienced a similar energy with fans cheering for Scottie Scheffler. And when his caddie, Joe Greiner, saw him fazed with the fans\u2019 cheers, he asked Bhatia to imagine the support Tiger Woods must have received during his time at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge. But Bhatia couldn\u2019t do it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, he said, \u201cThe fans were amazing. I felt like, as soon as Daniel maybe didn\u2019t hit a good shot or backed off or missed a putt, it just felt like all the weight on my shoulders to kind of win this golf tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n
With his third PGA Tour victory, Bhatia\u2019s confidence has seemingly increased. But does that mean we can expect him to win a few more with the fans\u2019 support this year?<\/p>\n
What do you think? Tell us in the comments and follow Daily Club Golf for more updates! <\/p>\n
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