The Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026 delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the PGA Tour season. Played at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida, the prestigious tournament featured a star-studded field and a massive prize pool. After four intense rounds, rising American golfer Akshay Bhatia captured the title following a thrilling playoff victory over Daniel Berger.
Below is a full look at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational leaderboard, results, and purse distribution.
2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational Overview
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of the PGA Tour’s signature events, attracting many of the world’s top golfers. The 2026 edition took place from March 5–8 and featured a limited field competing for one of the largest purses outside the major championships.
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Location: Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida
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Format: 72-hole stroke play
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Total Purse: $20 million
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Winner’s Share: $4 million
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FedEx Cup Points: 700 for the winner
2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational Results
The final round turned into a dramatic duel between Akshay Bhatia and Daniel Berger. Bhatia charged up the leaderboard with a strong back nine and forced a playoff after both players finished tied at −15.
In the sudden-death playoff, Berger struggled with a three-putt bogey, while Bhatia calmly secured par to claim the biggest win of his career.
Final Score:
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Champion: Akshay Bhatia – 273 (−15)
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Runner-up: Daniel Berger – 273 (−15) (lost in playoff)
2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational Leaderboard (Top 10)
| Position | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akshay Bhatia | −15 (won playoff) |
| 2 | Daniel Berger | −15 |
| T3 | Ludvig Åberg | −12 |
| T3 | Cameron Young | −12 |
| 5 | Collin Morikawa | −11 |
| T6 | Several players | around −9 |
| T8 | Rickie Fowler | −8 |
| T8 | Harry Hall | −8 |
| T10 | Multiple players | −7 |
Åberg and Young shared third place after strong final-round performances, while Morikawa finished fifth following a late bogey on the final hole.
2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational Purse Breakdown
The tournament featured a $20 million purse, making it one of the richest regular PGA Tour events.
Top payouts:
| Position | Player | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akshay Bhatia | $4,000,000 |
| 2 | Daniel Berger | $2,200,000 |
| T3 | Ludvig Åberg | ~$1.2M+ |
| T3 | Cameron Young | ~$1.2M+ |
| 5 | Collin Morikawa | ~$800K+ |
The winner’s share represented roughly 20% of the total purse, a standard payout structure for PGA Tour signature events.
Key Moments From the Tournament
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Bhatia surged on Sunday with four consecutive birdies and a crucial eagle on the 16th hole.
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Berger held the lead earlier but lost momentum with mistakes on the back nine.
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The playoff ended quickly when Berger three-putted, giving Bhatia the victory.
Why the Arnold Palmer Invitational Matters
Named after golf legend Arnold Palmer, the tournament is one of the most respected events on the PGA Tour. Winners receive the iconic red cardigan, honoring Palmer’s signature style and legacy in golf.
With the victory, Akshay Bhatia strengthens his position heading into the next major stretch of the PGA Tour schedule.
Summary:
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Winner: Akshay Bhatia
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Winning Score: −15 (playoff)
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Runner-up: Daniel Berger
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Total Purse: $20 million
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Winner’s Prize: $4 million
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