As Akshay Bhatia stood on the 18th hole Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, closing in on a $4 million purse, he noticed a rainbow at Bay Hill Club in Orlando.
The tender moment made the 24-year-old golfer think of his late niece, Mia.
“I had my niece definitely watching over me who passed away in December, and I thought when I saw that rainbow on 18 it reminded me of her,” said Bhatia, who sealed his third PGA Tour victory Sunday. “So, it was really cool, just a special moment for us. Can’t wait to celebrate.”
Bhatia edged out Daniel Berger in a one-hole playoff Sunday after both completed the final round with a 15-under total for the weekend.
Bhatia parred the par-4 18th while Berger bogeyed, capping off an epic comeback after falling five shots behind on the fourth and final day at Bay Hill.
It marked Bhatia’s first PGA Tour win in nearly two years since the Valero Texas Open in 2024.
He dedicated the win to Mia, who he said died after being diagnosed with a “pretty rare disease.”
“She was a fighter for a long time,” Bhatia said. “She wasn’t supposed to make it past a year old.”
The California native recalled with a smile how Mia traveled to attend her uncle’s wedding to his now-wife, Presleigh, in the Bahamas last year before she died on Dec. 13, the couple’s wedding date.
“We tried everything and had a great support system, but there are so many cool things about that week. She stayed in the house where we got married … she loved the sand, she got to see everyone,” Bhatia said while wearing the red cardigan sweater given to the tournament’s victor. “I told my sister I’ve been thinking about her for a long time after she passed and dedicated this one for her.”
Bhatia penned an emotional goodbye to his niece last Dec. 16 shortly after her death, along with two photos that showed him with Mia, plus one of him and another individual looking at her.
He vowed that she would be his inspiration going forward each time he took to the links.
“Miss Mia had the best hair, the best smile, and was one of the strongest kids I know,” Bhatia wrote.
“I will cherish her and play for her every single day. She meant the world to us and showed so much resilience each and every day. Fly high. I love you 👼 ❤️ 12/13/25.”
